Quarterback Tim Tebow has extended his stay in the NFL, finding a new home with the New England Patriots under a two-year contract.
Tebow won the Heisman Trophy at the University of Florida, and last year led the Denver Broncos to their first playoff appearance in six years, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers before falling to the Patriots. Despite his success, the Broncos traded Tebow to the New York Jets last season to make way for Peyton Manning, but Tebow rarely took the field in New York.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft said June 12 that he signed Tebow in part because of the player’s publicly religious nature and “spirituality.”
“For me personally, having Tim Tebow on this team, he’s someone who believes in spirituality, he’s very competitive, works hard and has a great attitude,” Kraft said, according to Fox News. “He’s a winner, and the fact that spirituality is so important to him is very appealing to me.”
Under coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, the Patriots have made the playoffs each season for the last decade and won three Super Bowls in that span.
Brady’s hold on the quarterback job has left many wondering about the role Tebow will play in the Patriots offense and special teams.
“Tim is a talented player, is smart and works hard. We’ll see how it goes,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick told reporters at a press conference June 11.
Under the terms of the contract, Tebow will earn a base salary of $630,000 this season, and $730,000 in 2014. Tebow can earn up to $2 million in playing-time incentives in 2014, a person who has reviewed the details of the contract told USA Today. According to the newspaper, Tebow will earn the full amount only if he is on the field for 80 percent of the offensive snaps and the Patriots win 10 games or make the postseason.
Tebow will earn $500,000 if he participates in 60 percent of the plays in 2014, $1 million for 70 percent, or $1.5 million if he participates in 80 percent of the plays and the team fails to reach the playoffs or win10 games
