Clint Lamb
Videos by OutKick
Tim Tebow knows how to dominate headlines. Ever since he became a heavily utilized backup quarterback during his true freshman season at Florida back in 2006, the five-star high school talent has been the center of sports coverage.
Now that he’s with the Jacksonville Jaguars, he’s brought that franchise perhaps more attention than it has ever seen. But he’s not the only walking headline in Jacksonville. The team’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft is generating plenty of attention as well.
Tebow used to be a NFL quarterback — just not a very good one, if I’m speaking candidly. He’s now a 33-year-old tight end, and the role of signal caller has fallen to rookie Trevor Lawrence. And as much as I love Tebow the person, there’s no question that Lawrence belongs under center while Tebow does not.
According to reports, the relationship between Lawrence and Tebow — both in the locker room and on the field — has gotten off to a fantastic start. Though both guys are new additions to the squad, they’re working in tandem to take on leadership roles.
Lawrence was asked about Tebow during a recent interview with the NFL Network, and here’s what the Clemson product had to say:
“I’ve had a few good conversations with him, and I’m really excited to play with him,” Lawrence said, via Saturday Down South. “I don’t know if you’re going to find a better guy to have in your locker room, and he’s in great shape, he looks great, he’s been out there practicing with us the last two days and Thursday of last week. Three practices in, he looks great, he’s running around well.
“Picking it up quick. I think mentally, he’s in a great spot, being a quarterback and playing in the NFL for a number of years, he kind of gets the NFL offense, pro-style offense systems. He kind of picks them up easily, so he’s coming along great. And I think just everyone’s excited to have him in the locker room, seeing what he’s been able to do, the ultimate competitor he is and his character. That’s just a guy you want on your team for one, and a guy you want to be around.”
Lawrence was also asked to share his thoughts on Tebow during the Dan Patrick Show on Thursday.
DP apparently set the record for the longest an interview has gone without asking Trevor Lawrence (@TrevorLawrencee) about Tim Tebow. Eventually he got around to it though. #Jaguars #DUUUVAL
For Trevor's full appearance: https://t.co/rz3Xq4odOn pic.twitter.com/4R1GnBmHVZ
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) May 27, 2021
From an off-the-field standpoint, there are some similarities between Lawrence and Tebow.
Yes, Lawrence is a far better quarterback prospect at the NFL level, but both were dynamite college prospects who found success early and often in their collegiate careers. Both won national titles, both generate headlines and both find confidence and comfort in their religion.
For Jacksonville, the old and the new are coming together to try and get a stagnant franchise heading in the right direction again.
Oh, and by the way … Tebow is looking JACKED nowadays.
TE Tim Tebow. 💪 pic.twitter.com/KUV4NhQvQ7
— theScore (@theScore) May 27, 2021
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
He does look jacked. The remaining question is: Can he catch like a pro TE. I hope so. We’ll see.
If he can catch then I’d wager he’s got a good shot to be a contributor for a couple of years. He’s obviously kept himself in phenomenal shape and while he’s up there in age(from an athlete’s standpoint) he doesn’t have the years of physical damage from playing in the NFL like a typical 30+ year old would.
I just wish Tebow would have done this years ago rather than the baseball experiment. At 33 his football days are numbered. Just hope he gets a year or to for the final chapter of his playing days.
The media wants Trevor Lawrence cut right this second for not pouting about the Tebow signing publicly.