Tim Tebow has been here before. After stints with the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, the former Heisman trophy winner latched on with the New England Patriots during the 2013 preseason. While his inclusion on the roster made headlines in New England, Tebow ultimately bowed out quietly when Bill Belichick released him during the team’s final cut down. After spending the 2014 without a team, Tebow’s pursuit of an NFL quarterback job was given a second life by Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles this summer. Tebow performed well in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Jets, finishing with 21 completions in 36 attempts and two touchdown passes. Yet once again, Tim Tebow finds himself on the roster bubble, competing with former USC standout Matt Barkley for Philadelphia’s third quarterback job.
From a realists’ perspective, Tebow being cut from Philadelphia’s roster could signal the end of his NFL career. Despite his penchant for late-game heroics, it would be miraculous if Tebow were able to get back on an NFL field after what would be three seasons of inactivity. With such an important, career-determining decision looming, most players would feel anxious, but as he’s shown time and time again, Tim Tebow is not like most players.
“I’m not going to worry about what I can’t control,” Tebow said to reporters after the game on Thursday evening. “I try not to be anxious at all. That’s what the Bible says: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Chip Kelly and the Eagles coaching staff have a large decision looming. Both Tebow and Barkley have shown promise in the preseason, and given the poor track record of health from both starting quarterback Sam Bradford and backup Mark Sanchez, it’s not improbable to think that the Eagles’ third-stringer might actually see the field in 2015.
Tebow added, “If [God] said, `Be anxious for nothing,’ I’m going to try to do that.”
While I have no doubt that Tim Tebow may feel at peace heading into the Eagles’ roster cuts, his rabid fans are certainly feeling the anxiety. We will soon find out if another chapter is to be written in Tim Tebow’s football story, or if the book may be closed once and for all.
