Jets Release Tim Tebow

The New York Jets have released backup quarterback Tim Tebow, NBC 4 New York's Bruce Beck has confirmed.

Tebow's release comes three days after Gang Green drafted former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, one of this year's top prospects at the position, with the 39th pick overall in the second round of the NFL draft. 

The move was expected, given the celebrity backup's unproductive tenure with the Jets, and the fact that Smith's addition bumped the Jets' number of rostered quarterbacks to an untenable six.

Fourth-year quarterback Mark Sanchez, who struggled mightily this past Jets season, is expected to compete with Smith for the starting job in training camp. Veteran quarterback David Garrard, whom the Jets signed to a one-year $1.1 million deal in March, is expected to enter the season third on the depth chart. 

Tebow threw the ball just eight times for the Jets during the 2012-13 season, completing six of those passes for 39 yards. He also carried the ball 32 times for 102 yards and no touchdowns.

In a statement confirming the release, head coach Rex Ryan lauded Tebow's work ethic and said the team has "a great deal of respect" for him.

"Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped," Ryan said. "Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this off-season. We wish him the best moving forward."

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