A day after signing quarterback Peyton Manning, the Broncos have completed one of the most stunning out-with-the-new-and-in-with-the-old flip-flops of all time and officially traded quarterback Tim Tebow.
The Broncos have announced that Tebow will now be a member of the New York Jets.
“Tim Tebow deserves an enormous amount of credit for what he accomplished and how he carried himself during his time with the Broncos,” V.P. of football operations John Elway said. “From taking over a 1-4 team and leading it to the playoffs to energizing our fans and this community, Tim left an extraordinary mark on this organization. His time in Denver will always hold a special place in Broncos history.
“As a former player, I know the last two weeks were not easy for Tim. He was put in a difficult situation, and I commend him for how he handled it with the same first-class manner he displayed throughout his career in Denver.
“Our goal was to do the best thing for Tim and the Broncos, and I believe the opportunity that presented itself with the New York Jets accomplishes that objective. Tim made a lot of strides last year and has a very promising career ahead of him. If anyone is willing to put the work in to be great, it’s Tim Tebow.
“I have a great deal of respect for Tim and the positive impact he makes both on the field and in the community. He has a bright future in this league, and I’m hopeful he will enjoy continued success with the Jets.”
Coach John Fox also gushed about the now-former would-be franchise quarterback.
“Tim Tebow brought an incredible spirit and spark to our team that helped us turn the season around,” Fox said. “Along the way, he earned the trust of his teammates and coaches while inspiring our fans. His competitiveness, clutch performances and will to win played an instrumental role in our team earning a division title and advancing in the playoffs.
“Tim works as hard as any player I’ve ever coached, and that work ethic will continue to serve him well with the Jets. He goes out to practice early, stays late and comes in on his day off. Tim does everything in his power to get better. He’s not afraid to work, and we saw the results of his commitment last season.
“For good reason, Tim has always had a great following. He handled that aspect exceptionally during the amazing run we had. The poise and focus Tim displayed were remarkable and speak volumes for the strength of his character.
“A player and person like Tim don’t come around very often. He is real and he walks the walk. I’m looking forward to watching him continue his career with the Jets, and I wish him the very best.”
After reading both statements, it’s hard to understand why in the hell the Broncos traded him.
Then again, it’s hard to understand why in the hell most of the things that have happened this offseason have happened.
And we love it. And we can only wonder what will happen next.
