Tim Tebow has been considered a model teammate despite enduring many difficult situations throughout his brief NFL career, but it sounds like that wasn’t the case this week.
After being passed by Greg McElroy on the New York Jets’ quarterback depth chart, Tebow reportedly asked the coaching staff not to use him in their Wildcat package.
ESPN New York reported following the Jets’ 27-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers Sunday that Tebow was so upset about not getting a chance to start in place of Mark Sanchez that he told the coaches not to use him in the Wildcat package. That explains why Tebow did not play in the game despite being active.
Wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, who has experience playing quarterback in high school, ran the Wildcat instead.
Tebow has participated in less than 75 offensive snaps this season for the Jets. Most of the snaps have been out of the Wildcat formation.
Asked after the game who told him he wouldn’t be participating in the Wildcat, Tebow answered, “it just kind of happens.”
Coach Rex Ryan reportedly said he chose to use Kerley for the element of surprise, and told a spokesman to say it was a “coach’s decision” not to use Tebow. It sounds like that was his way of protecting Tebow from scrutiny.
Tebow was a divisive figure in Denver while serving as a backup quarterbacks behind Kyle Orton. His Broncos teammates reportedly fined him for not speaking out when a billboard went up calling for him to start, but he never said anything bad himself.
Tebow came to New York expecting to compete with Sanchez for the starting job, but he never publicly complained or criticized Sanchez regardless of what unfolded throughout the season. But after being jumped on the depth chart, Tebow said he was “disappointed” and reports said he no longer wanted to play there.
Even though Tebow feels the Jets misled him about his opportunity to play there, it’s still surprising that he would turn down an assignment from his coaches. That goes against everything we’ve know about him.
