Tim Tebow: Why Broncos Should Start Controversial QB After Another Loss

If the Denver Broncos lose to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, they should hand the keys of the offense over to Tim Tebow. It would be clear at that point the Broncos aren't going to make the playoffs, so they might as well see what they truly have in Tebow before next season's draft.

Tebow might be the most highly scrutinized quarterback in the NFL and he hasn't even thrown 100 career passes. The Broncos used a first-round pick on the Florida hero last season and every analyst on television has formed some type of strong opinion of him.

He started three games last season and although accuracy was a problem as expected, he made some big throws and had a quarterback rating of 89 or better in two of the games. He also brings the added dimension of being able to make plays with his legs to the offense.

Is Tebow the QB of the future for Denver? Probably not. That said, the Broncos will never know what he can become unless they let him be the starter for an extended period of time.

This is not a referendum on Kyle Orton, who had some good seasons under Josh McDaniels, but he's nothing more than an average NFL quarterback. If the Broncos are serious about getting the franchise back on a path toward championships, they'll need a better field general.

Tebow's legion of fans is amazing for a player that has accomplished so little in the NFL and is likely tied to his strong religious beliefs. While his approach to religion rubs some people the wrong way, it's just who he is and won't change any time soon.

With the new management team and coaching staff in town, this season will be used to weed out the players from the previous regime that they don't believe in. Tebow could become a causality of that switch, but should be given a chance to prove his worth before he's given up on.

If the Broncos fail to come away victorious against the Bengals on Sunday, they should name Tebow the starter for their Week 3 game against the Tennessee Titans. Even if Tebow struggles, it helps the Broncos by making them stronger contenders in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

That's what they call a win-win.