Tim Tebow Jets: Choosing Jets over Jaguars Was Best for QB's Long-Term Prospects

It turns out that Tebow may have handpicked the Jets, and if he did, it was most definitely the best move for his long-term future in the league.

According to Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union, Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway told ESPN Radio in Colorado that the organization gave Tebow the choice between the Jets and Jags. While Tebow has denied that claim, it certainly seems plausible if the offers were similar. 

Although we may never know for sure if Tebow did in fact choose his destination, he made the right decision if he picked the Jets.

In terms of playing immediately, there is a good chance that Tebow could have started for the Jaguars right away. Blaine Gabbert was an absolute sieve for the Jags last season and doesn't seem to have much going for him.

At the same time, though, there would have been a lot of pressure on Tebow returning to his home state. To say that the Jaguars are a downtrodden franchise would be an understatement, and he would have been expected to be the savior despite there not being much in place to turn things around.

With the Jets, Tebow may be behind Mark Sanchez initially, but he has a much better chance of winning in the foreseeable future. All indications are that Tebow will be utilized heavily as a Wildcat quarterback, and since Sanchez will inevitably struggle at some point during the season, Tebow is likely to get a crack at the starting job in 2012.

Perhaps there isn't as much certainty in New York as there would have been in Jacksonville with regards to his role, but Tebow is undoubtedly in a better situation. Not only do the Jets have some solid offensive weapons in Santonio Holmes and Dustin Keller, but their defense makes them perennial playoff contenders.

The same can't be said for the Jaguars as there is a true lack of talent on both sides of the ball. While it's true that Tebow could have been a big-time hero if he were able to make the Jaguars relevant again, that would have been an incredibly tall task with a high rate of failure.

If Tebow ultimately grabs the starting job in New York, there will be a ton of pressure on him, but the reward for winning in the Big Apple is a massive one. He would be loved by the city and receive even more media attention than he already does, if that's even possible.

If Tebow's plan was to start from day one then Jacksonville would have been the place for him, but I get the feeling that he just wants to win. The Jets are already desperate to find ways to use him, so that obviously means that they think highly of him. If they like him enough, he will most definitely get his chance to be the man soon enough.

It might take a bit of time, but there is no question that Tebow's long-term outlook in New York is a lot better than it would have been had to he decided to return to the Sunshine State.