Tim Tebow: QB Controversy Reignites as Brady Quinn Takes First-Team Snaps

Last week, former Denver Broncos backup quarterback Kyle Orton defeated Tim Tebow's Broncos as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

When that happened, there were questions whether the Broncos were confident enough with Tebow to hand him the job in the postseason and beyond. He went 6-of-22 for 60 yards and an interception in the 7-3 loss, and if there hadn't been a meltdown in the collective AFC West, the Broncos would have been ousted from the playoffs.

Well, now quarterback controversy has reignited in Denver after Pro Football Talk reported that backup Brady Quinn has been getting nearly half of the first-team reps in practice this week.

Update: Friday, Jan. 5 at 4:29 p.m. EST

NFL.com is reporting that Quinn has refuted the Pro Football Talk report, saying that his repetitions haven't changed all week.

However, Quinn has acknowledged the team talking about a package including Quinn and Tebow at times during the season. He has also been throwing to receivers after practice has ended this week.

Normally this wouldn't be such a huge deal. If it was earlier in the season and the QB situation was still undecided, I could understand this. Quinn is, after all, the backup quarterback.

But the Broncos are facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round on Sunday. Why do this now? The Broncos could legitimately use Quinn against the Steelers, or at least as a change of pace throughout the game.

That may be what they're thinking of doing. Despite leading the Broncos to six straight wins this season, we all know Tebow isn't the most accurate of quarterbacks. Perhaps using the more accurate Quinn (key word: "more"), the Broncos could interchange him with Tebow, using Tebow as a multi-dimensional player given his running ability.

Honestly, would it be so unbelievable for the Broncos to use Quinn for three quarters and then hand the game over to Tebow in the fourth quarter, where he's made his money this season? It's not out of the realm of possibility.

During the Broncos' three-game skid, Tebow has been especially turnover-prone, throwing four interceptions and losing three fumbles. Against an aggressive defense like the Steelers have, that's simply a recipe for disaster.

One thing's for sure: You're not the Broncos if you don't have a quarterback controversy.