When the New York Jets acquired Tim Tebow last offseason, the same question popped into the minds of almost everyone — why? If Rex Ryan and company were so committed to Mark Sanchez after signing him to a hefty extension, why would they bring in a quarterback who is arguably the most popular player in the NFL and just led a team to the playoffs?
One common line of thinking is that the Jets were trying to motivate Sanchez and get him to take his game to the next level in his fourth year as a starter. However, a source reportedly told the NY Post that the Jets were extremely concerned that “Tebowmania” would derail Marky Mark.
There was also the “Tebowmania” factor. One source described the organization as “frozen with fear” that Tebow would actually excel, creating a quarterback controversy that would wreck Sanchez’s psyche. Tebow wound up being more effective as the personal protector on the punt team than as an offensive player.
Instead of motivating Sanchez to elevate his game or having an insurance policy in case Sanchez stumbled, the Jets wound up with the worst possible scenario. The coaching staff clearly lost all confidence in Tebow and it appears he will be released or traded after the season. Sanchez has gotten worse as the season progresses, having thrown seven interceptions in his last three games.
Whether it was Tebowmania that ruined Sanchez or he is simply not a viable NFL starter is irrelevant at this point. The only thing that matters is Greg McElroy is New York’s starting quarterback for Week 16, and that has nothing to do with injuries. Did we see this coming? Not exactly, but that doesn’t mean it’s a shock.
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