Patriots release Tim Tebow, leaving his NFL future in limbo

Tim Tebow’s time with the New England Patriots is over. His career as an NFL quarterback may have ended, too.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tebow was released by the New England Patriots.

The move is not a surprise considering how poorly Tebow played this preseason.

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Tebow completed 11-of-30 passes for 145 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His fate was sealed after completing only 1-of-7 passes for -1 yards and one interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Week 2 of the preseason.

When asked if he was worried about being released after New England's final preseason game, Tebow seemed at peace with his future.

Tebow also took to Twitter to thank the Patriots' organization, in a string of tweets starting with this:

Another contributing factor in Tebow's release was New England's decision to not place tight end Rob Gronkowski on the physically unable to perform list. Gronkowski will be on New England's 53-man roster, which limited the amount of slots available for Tebow. Ryan Mallett will backup Tom Brady this season.

There is an outside chance another team could sign Tebow, but it appears very unlikely.

The majority of NFL teams were lukewarm on Tebow's athletic ability this offseason. He eventually signed with he Patriots in June, well after the start of free agency, and mostly because former Broncos coach Josh McDaniels was New England's offensive coordinator. Tebow was never going to start in New England, but was given a chance to compete for a backup position. His slow delivery and lack of precision led to his release.

Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007, and Denver traded into the first-round to draft him in 2010. While he was never a great passer, Tebow's flare for last-minute victories started "Tebowmania" in the NFL. Tebow threw for a career high 316 yards and two touchdowns during Denver's 29-23 AFC wild card victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012.

However, Tebow was eventually traded to the New York Jets, and he spent most of last season on the bench. Tebow was released earlier this before New England gave him a chance.

If Tebow never plays professionally again, he will be remembered as one of the most polarizing figures in college and NFL history.

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