Tim Tebow: Why the Quarterback Will Be Left out of the Denver Broncos' Plans

Tim Tebow has been the center of debate for years now and that debate continues into this offseason. Tebow finished last season as the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos, however, he enters this season wondering if he is in the long-term plans for Denver.

With John Elway taking over the Broncos front office, there are a lot of question marks surrounding Tebow and their QB position.

Earlier reports from this offseason indicated that the forgotten man in Denver, Brady Quinn, was alive in the QB competition and that he has a chance of eventually winning the job.  There have been indications that Kyle Orton is available for trade, but at this point nothing seems certain in Denver.

Kyle Orton

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

Kyle Orton has proven over the last couple of seasons that he can be a successful QB in the NFL.  He should be the starting QB for the Denver Broncos next season and has the numbers to back up that claim.

Orton has posted a QB rating exceeding 85 the past two seasons and has really thrived since arriving in Denver.  He has improved that rating every season he has been in the NFL and has thrown for greater than 3,000 yards each of the past two years.

Orton did not have many options last year in Denver but still managed to more than 3,600 yards with 20 touchdowns and only nine interceptions.

If Denver wants to be a team that can compete for the AFC West they need Orton at the helm.  Denver provided a strong boost to their defense with their draft this year and the pieces are beginning to fall in place.  However, starting Tebow anytime in the next two years would set this team back as he has him ups and downs.

John Fox

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos head coach John Fox addresses the media at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was named the 14th head coach in Broncos history yesterday after spending the last nine seasons as head coac

With the man who drafted Tebow, Josh McDaniels, out of town, the chances of Tebow remaining in the long-term plans of the Broncos are much slimmer than they were a year ago.

John Fox brings a winning mindset to town, after he consistently made the Carolina Panthers a contender before their collapse during the past two seasons.

Fox dealt with young, inexperienced QBs in Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen during the previous two seasons and that did not end well.

The chances of Fox wanting to start another young QB are very small.  Fox prefers to have a veteran QB lead his team, and will likely lean toward Orton and Brady Quinn as his top two QBs.

John Elway

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - JANUARY 14: Denver Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway addresses the media during a press conference to announce John Fox as the next head coach at Dove Valley on January 14, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Fox was named

John Elway was a premier QB during his days with the Denver Broncos.  While Elway was not familiar with being outside the pocket, he was fundamentally sound and did not make a living running downfield like Tebow.

Elway will likely prefer to have a more fundamental, pocket passer leading his team into the future.  Kyle Orton fits the bill for Elway and the Broncos.  

Orton is a more technically sound passer that has the tools to be a franchise QB in the NFL, and while he is not as flashy as Tebow, he is just the guy Elway is looking for to lead his team.

Tim Tebow

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DENVER - DECEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos rolls out and looks to deliver a pass against the Houston Texas at INVESCO Field at Mile High on December 26, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Texans 24-23. (Photo b