Should TE Tim Tebow fear veteran chopping block in 2021?

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer believes Tim Tebow can make the transition from quarterback to tight end. However, former NFL head coach and analyst Eric Mangini recently made the news because he believes it’s too late for two-time BCS national champion to pull the switch and he isn’t alone in his line of thought.

Patrik Walker of CBS Sports recently put together a list of veterans in every NFL team that should fear the chopping block and Tebow was the pick for the Jaguars. Walker says that the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was a long shot to make the team since the moment he landed in Jacksonville and adds that his relationship with Urban Meyer may be the only reason he ends up earning a roster spot. On the other hand, he acknowledges that the former Florida head coach won’t show any preference towards his pupil.

Walker thinks that Tebow’s tenure with the Jags could end soon, as the team has other tight ends on the roster with more experience than the 25th overall pick in 2010’s draft, including Chris Manhertz. He believes that cutting Tebow makes the most season, as there are other players that could contribute more than him.

"Headlines aside, this is the most sensical cut to be made by the Jaguars, unless they want to sacrifice a seat on their 53-man roster for a 33-year-old who’s never played tight end before and came out of retirement to try."

It’s too early for the Jacksonville Jaguars to pull the plug on Tim Tebow.

Walker is right Tebow may not be able to make the transition to tight end. Time isn’t on his side, he’s 33 and has never played the position before. On the other hand, it’s too early to dismiss him. So far, he’s avoided the spotlight in Jacksonville and has worked hard. Also, he doesn’t need to become a true number one tight end.

As long as Tebow can step on the field and contribute, he should be able to get a spot on the roster. You may disagree with most of the things Skip Bayless of Fox Sports 1 says, but he suggests the Jaguars use him in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Instead of being a true tight end, he could play an H-back kind of role and catch a few screens and bubble passes, and be the team’s designated scoring machine.

Also, the Jaguars could use Tebow’s leadership. They already have veterans, such as linebacker Myles Jack and center Brandon Linder, that can carry Meyer’s vision across. However, the Florida product knows how the head coach operates and may be able to convey his message effectively.

Now, the Jags must really move on from Tebow if he doesn’t display enough growth in training camp, he can’t use time as an excuse. Also, Meyer’s credibility would take a hit if he kept the former quarterback despite not cutting it.

Tim Tebow was fully aware he had a steep hill to climb when he signed with the Jaguars and still accepted. If he gets cut, it won’t be because of a lack of trying. Rather, it will be because he decided to make the transition to tight end too late in his career. Either way, it’s too early to give up on the experiment.