Tim Tebow Trade Rumors: Don't Expect Jaguars to Answer Broncos' Call

Ring.

"Gene? It's John..."

Blaine Gabbert for Tim Tebow. Who says no first?

Now that Peyton Manning is safely in the Denver stable, John Elway desperately needs to move his incumbent starting quarterback. The only question is: who wants a quarterback who isn't really a quarterback?

The most obvious (and by obvious, I mean lazy) landing spot is Jacksonville, which sits in the shadow of the University of Florida where the locals still revere him and hold sacred his image whether in the form of a statue in front of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium or seared into a grilled-cheese sandwich.

I'd be shocked if Elway didn't hop on the phone tonight and dial the 904.

A simple swap of quarterbacks would solve everyone's problems, right?

The Jaguars can't be too pleased with Blaine Gabbert. After all, he had one of the worst seasons in NFL history, right? He doesn't look like a prize now to many teams, but does Tebow either?

Elway was in such a bind with Tebow that his only way out was to sign Peyton Manning. Tebow is so intensely polarizing that even with his obvious limitations as a passer, the Broncos could not part with him without good reason. After all, he "won" a playoff game.

Career	Cmp	Att	%	Yards	YPA	TD	INT	Rate	Rush Yds	Sacks
Tebow	167	353	47.3	2383	6.8	17	9	75.1	887	39
Gabbert	210	413	50.8	2214	5.4	12	11	65.4	98	40

Elway is faced with the task of dealing a player who is worth more to his fans than he is to the franchise.

Gabbert, for all his shortcomings, could be the answer to Denver's prayers.

He's a plausible sell to the fans. He's a high pick, but clearly in need of seasoning. The Broncos don't care if he has potential or not. They can happily sit him behind Peyton Manning and let his future trade value soar. Nothing draws more attention than a quarterback who only plays sparingly but shows a hint of promise. Give him a year or so, and Gabbert could be the next Kevin Kolb.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, would be ridding themselves of a potential mistake, but for what?

Tebow is not the future of the NFL. He's the distant past. Fifty years ago, he'd be a legend. Now he's just a guy who can't reliably throw a slant. No matter how many tickets the Jags sold in 2012, it would be fool's gold. Eventually, fans show up to see a winner, and winners are built by throwing the football.

No, Gene Smith is too smart to take that call. The truth is that as hard as it has been for Elway to win the PR battle surrounding Tebow, Smith wouldn't have a prayer. No matter how poorly Tebow played in Jacksonville, his defenders would be louder than his detractors.

Trading for Tebow would be a multiyear commitment and shape the franchise going forward in a negative way. Tim Tebow is the better player, but the lesser quarterback.

Passing wins in the NFL. While Tebow might have an edge in true value right now, there is at least a chance that Gabbert becomes a real passing quarterback. That's an upside that most around the NFL don't believe Tebow possesses. No matter how the fans may howl, there's only one choice for Smith to make when the phone inevitably rings.

"So, uh, Gene. What would you say to a little tra..."

Click.

"Gene? Gene? Are you there? No? I think we got cut off. Something must be wrong with their phones!"