Tim Tebow Trade Rumors: Why Jacksonville Jaguars Must Make a Play for QB

Peyton Manning is a member of the Denver Broncos. It sounds a little odd to say even after all the speculation and the guessing and the waiting. He was either going to Denver or Tennessee. There was never any doubt that when he finally made his decision, the buzz all over the NFL would be about what happens next.

And here we are.

The fact he signed with Denver isn't as big in sports news circles as much as what happens now to Tim Tebow, the uber-popular rock star football player (notice I did not say quarterback) who is in limbo as far as fans, the NFL and pop culture are concerned.

And while there are reasons for him to sign with a handful of teams, there is only one that in many fans' eyes makes sense. The Jacksonville Jaguars.

Sometimes, no always, it is good to come back home.

Even though stories have been written in the past week about how the Jaguars, who just signed a backup in Chad Henne, would not be interested in the former Florida great, there could be new doors opening as this is written. Could the former Heisman winner be on his way back to Jacksonville?

I will admit there are teams in the NFL that could use a charismatic quarterback who can will his team to win and challenge his teammates to do better on every play. Who wouldn't want that? Who wouldn't want a 6'3", 240-pound fullback coming at you that can throw a 30-yard out when he needs to?

Regardless of what I think, and I am not a huge fan (no this is not an FSU bias), I believe he is a winner and I respect the fact that everything this kid touches turns to gold. And the Jaguars, remember they were 5-11 last season, have a lot of work to do with their passing game.

Chad Henne does not solve the problem. Working all offseason with the new coaching staff will help Blaine Gabbert, Henne and possibly Tebow.

That is the reason you reach out to him.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan said from the moment he bought the team that he wanted to make a "splash" in free agency and with this team. Chad Henne and Laurent Robinson are good pieces to a fractured puzzle, but they do not scream change and put other teams on notice.

Tebow does. His fiery temper does. His personality does. His charitable work does. His winning and his come-from-behind "underdog" mentality does.

And Jacksonville, one of the smallest NFL markets in the league, needs him whether the team admits it or not.

Looking at the state of free agency now, there are only a few pieces out there that could fit the Jaguars' fractured puzzle, and names like defensive end Mark Anderson, though he is a good player, do not strike me as ones that would have fans jumping up and down for joy.

Tebow does that.

He keeps Jacksonville relevant. He brings more fans to the gates. He provides for more media coverage year-round and presents a great way to keep EverBank Field full for 10 games.

While resting for a few days has not made the Jaguars any worse than they were before free agency started, this is the time to strike while irons are blazing and make a splash. If nothing else, make a call, show you are interested. Make fans believe what is going to happen this season is exciting.

Make Maurice Jones-Drew less of a target for opposing defenses this coming season. Show you are serious about making the playoffs. Get Tebow, maybe go after Anderson and then draft a receiver in the first two rounds.

If fans are willing to give their all by supporting the team and buying tickets, then the Jaguars should in return do the same thing by making that "splash."

And if it does not happen, at least it can be said the team made an effort. If not, the fans and the NFL will wonder why the hometown hero didn't come home and save the day.

While coming home does not always work, in this case it just might be uber-terrific.