Tim Tebow makes positive impression in Jaguars training camp

The Jacksonville Jaguars are giving Tim Tebow a shot to prove he can contribute in 2021. They should be pleased with the progress the former first-round pick has made so far.

After giving baseball a try, Tim Tebow signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this year. His relationship with head coach Urban Meyer surely helped him land the opportunity but he’s making the most out of it. He’s currently trying to convince the Jags he deserves a spot on their 53-man roster. It won’t be easy though, as he’s been out of the NFL for years and has is currently 33.

Making Tebow’s situation even more challenging is the fact that he’s making the transition from quarterback to tight end. To his credit, he showed up to camp in great shape and has avoided the spotlight. Moreover, he has put his head down and has done everything he’s been asked. The coaching staff liked his progress during organized team activities but context is important. Most players look great in shorts, so the Jaguars had to wait until training camp to have a better assessment of the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner.

Early indications are that Tebow is having a solid training camp. Mia O’Brien of First Coast News says that the tight end displayed soft camps when catching a bullet completion from rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The former Gator also partook in special teams drills. Here’s the clip, courtesy of Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax.

Tim Tebow still has plenty of work left to do to earn a roster spot.

Keep in mind that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and Tebow still has a steep hill to climb. Although tight end is arguably the Jaguars’ weakest positional group ahead of the 2021 season, the former Gator will have to compete with sophomores Ben Ellefson and Tyler Davis for a roster spot.

Chris Manhertz will most likely be the Jaguars’ number one tight end in Week 1 while veteran James O’Shaughnessy will probably be the primary backup at the position. Rookie Luke Farrell could also see playing time if he shows he can be a solid receiving target. That’s three roster spots, and it’s unlikely that Jacksonville will carry more than four tight ends into the regular season.

Thus, Tebow needs to show he’s worth on offense and if he can contribute on special teams, his chances of making the team could increase. The Jaguars’ brass is aware the transition from quarterback to tight end is no walk in the part and could take time, something the two-time SEC Player of the Year doesn’t currently have. Nevertheless, the coaching staff could design special packages for him in red-zone and short-yardage situations, as a media personality previously suggested.

The clock is ticking for Tebow. The window of time he has to show the Jaguars he can be a factor in 2021 is rather short. On the bright side, he’s up to a good start, and if he continues doing what’s he’s done so far, he will be wearing a black and teal uniform in the season opener.