Why Brady Quinn, Tim Tebow Spat is Much Ado about Nothing

This offseason, Denver Broncos backup quarterback Brady Quinn is slated to be a free agent.

Now with Tim Tebow as the expected starter, it would not be surprising if the Broncos parted ways with Quinn. However, instead of bringing in someone else and igniting a quarterback competition, re-signing Quinn is also a legitimate option, as he does know the system.

That being said, it appears the latter may not happen.

In an article by Michael Silver for GQ, Quinn gave his two cents about Tebowmania throughout the season:

"

I was the second-string guy. Then, a few weeks later, they decided to put Tim in. I felt like the fans had a lot to do with that. Just 'cause they were chanting his name. There was a big calling for him. No, I didn't have any billboards. That would have been nice.

"

After the game vs. the Chicago Bears:

"

We've had a lot of, I guess, luck, to put it simply. ...

If you look at it as a whole, there's a lot of things that just don't seem very humble to me. When I get that opportunity, I'll continue to lead not necessarily by trying to get in front of the camera and praying but by praying with my teammates, you know?

"

Clearly, this has escalated into an uncomfortable and awkward situation between the two Broncos quarterbacks, one that will likely continue to grow throughout the offseason.

Any way you slice this, however, there's no way that Brady Quinn was going to start in Denver over Tim Tebow, regardless of whether he spoke out or not.

Quinn's only legit shot at starting was if Tebow vehemently underachieved and the Broncos were not winning. As long as Tebow chalks up W's in the record column, his stats are seemingly irrelevant

As for Quinn, what if he were to get a shot to play and didn't perform?

Then he'd be even under more duress and likely out of the Mile High City sooner than later anyway. Looking ahead now to 2012, though, it would be surprising to see the Broncos re-sign Quinn as Tebow's backup.

Regardless of what he said about Tebowmania.

When training camp begins next season, Tebow needs a much better competitor to challenge him as the starter and force him to improve. Quinn didn't do that at any point during 2011, and there's no way anyone would have given him a shot to start for Denver in 2012.

Not to mention when he has played, whether in Denver or Cleveland, Quinn has under-performed despite being a first-round draft pick and a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2006.

In short, this entire situation simply decreases the odds of the Broncos re-signing Brady Quinn for the 2012 season. Denver needs a more reliable and proven backup to compete with Tebow, and Quinn isn't the man for the job.

John Rozum on Twitter.