Tim Tebow: Does the Denver Broncos QB Deserve More Playing Time?

The Tim Tebow debate for the most part has been a quiet whisper since the beginning of the season.

After being touted by many to eventually take over for current starter Kyle Orton sooner than later, the play of Orton has silenced many and forced coach Josh McDaniels to put the Tebow talk on the back burner.

Rewind to this past Sunday against the New York Jets. Down 7-0 early in the second quarter, the Broncos drive to inside the 10-yard line. For the first time since Week 1, McDaniels calls on Tebow to enter the game. Tebow promptly takes the snap and goes to the right for a five-yard score and his first career touchdown.

Besides the outcome of the game, the story of the game was Tim Tebow's touchdown. Tebow finished the game with six carries and a modest 23 yards, his first significant time as a Bronco. Now, there are many people claiming that he should get more snaps as the season goes along.

Does Tebow deserve more playing time?

No, not really.

Should he take some snaps here and there in games? Sure, so he can get some exposure to the NFL game.

But should he take a decent amount snaps away from Orton?

Unless the Broncos have given up on their season, Kyle Orton gives them their best chance to win.

Orton wasn't expected to be the quarterback too long in Denver, but he is making it very difficult to do otherwise. He is on pace to have his best statistical season as a quarterback, as he currently has 1,900-plus yards passing and nine touchdowns in what could be a Pro Bowl year for Orton.

Despite playing with an inept running game for most of the season and top receiver Brandon Marshall traded in the offseason, Orton has still managed to make throws down the field. Even though the Broncos are only 2-4, that is far from Orton's fault.

Before any more fans clamor for Tebow to get more playing time, consider this: He has yet to attempt a pass in a regular season NFL game. It has been well documented that Tebow has been working tirelessly to fix his arm mechanics in order to have a faster release, but no one will know for sure what that translates to until he does.

Yes, in order to attempt a pass, one does need to be on the field. But Tebow should expect to get some snaps in the next few games. So, the real question is, will he be asked to throw the ball and what will happen when he does?

Another factor in determining the playing status of Tebow will be how the Broncos fare in their upcoming games.

They don't exactly have murderer's row coming up on the schedule. They have several winnable games ahead including San Francisco, St. Louis and Arizona as well as their entire division slate.

If the defense gets it together in the next few weeks and the offense still continues to stay potent, the Broncos can realistically make a nice run and get back into the playoff race. Are Tebow fans really going to want to see the Florida quarterback take extended snaps in games that could impact the Broncos postseason plans?

Despite Orton signing a contract extension in the summer that will keep him a Bronco through at least next year, Tim Tebow is the future in Josh McDaniels' eyes. He traded back into the first round to get him and is committed to making him worthy of his draft selection.

But Tebow at this point in the season doesn't deserve more playing time. He is going to get his snaps during the games, but not enough to give him adequate reps needed for a developing quarterback.

Unless a dramatic turn of events with Kyle Orton's play such as an injury or a couple of poor games, Tim Tebow will just have to show patience and understand soon enough his time will come.

Erik Yost is a student at The Ohio State University and a writing intern at Bleacher Report. Follow me on Twitter @ twitter.com/ErikYost_