Tim Tebow: Why This Season Is Just an Audition for His Next Team

Tim Tebow is 4-1 in 2011 as the Broncos' starting quarterback. Still, that doesn't seem to be selling John Elway that he's the quarterback of the future in Denver. 

As ESPN detailed, Elway was asked on Monday if he was any closer to having the quarterback of the future in Denver. His response was a simple "no."

He elaborated: "When you look at our third-down numbers, those have to improve, and that's the bottom line...We can't go 3-of-13 and win a world championship."

What needs to be remembered is that Elway had nothing to do with drafting Tebow. Neither did coach John Fox. That was a previous group.

Tebow is really amazing. His 2011 season has fueled the arguments of his detractors and his fans. Let's take a look at some things here. 

In 2011, he has completed fewer than 45 percent of his passes. There's no way to spin that. That number is way too low, and anyone who starts in the NFL needs to be much better. Still, when you put that up against a 7:1 TD:INT ratio, it doesn't look quite as bad. 

He's failed to throw for 200 yards in a single start this season. As a matter of fact, in his last two starts, Tebow hasn't even hit double-digit completion totals. 

Still, the record is 4-1. 

And that's what it boils down to. More than anything, that's what makes puts his future in Denver in serious doubt. 

If Elway felt that the lack of pure passing ability could be worked with, wouldn't logic say that he would give a far different answer when asked about the team's quarterback situation?

That answer tells me that Elway views the 4-1 mark as something of a fluke. Maybe you agree with that, maybe you don't, but it's hard to ignore such a blunt answer to a straightforward question.

Without making a trade or having someone drop significantly, I doubt that the Broncos will be in position to get a quarterback in the draft.

So, it's entirely possible that Tebow's audition for the rest of the league will extend into 2012. 

But Elway's answer tells me that Tebow's future in Denver is not a long one.