Tim Tebow News: QB Could Be Headed To Arena League? Is Tebowmania From Fans and Media Attention Hurting His NFL Chances?

Former New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow does have an offer to play professional football next season, just not in the NFL.

ESPN analyst and co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul Ron Jaworski told Philly.com that he has offered Tebow a spot on the team.

The two-time national champion and first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos has not responded to Jaworski’s offer.

Jaworski and Soul head coach Clint Dolezel even sent Tebow some plays they would like to run, mostly around the goal line, where his ability to run the football could help the most. Tebow scored 12 rushing touchdowns in his two seasons in Denver, including 660 rushing yards, compared to a 47.9 percent completion percentage as a passer.

Tebow has insisted he wants to be a starter, but the Soul will reportedly keep current starter quarterback Dan Raudabaugh. Jaworski instead pointed to the increased speed of the AFL, and how it could help Tebow develop his passing skills.

"One [criticism] of Tebow is that he is slow and methodical," Jaworski told Philly.com. "He would be forced to quicken it up in this league and it would be good training for him. You can learn a lot in this league. It's about processing information and getting the ball out . . . or you get whacked."

Tebow's legion of fans and media circus may have blacklisted the former Heisman winner from the NFL, according to some Internet reports. Teams said they would consider Tebow as a back-up quarterback, but don't want the extra attention and hoopla associated with him.

After acquiring Peyton Manning a year ago, the Broncos quickly traded Tebow to the Jets for a pittance. Once in New York, the 25-year-old created an instant buzz around the team, and head coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Tony Sparano said they would use Tebow in exciting, new ways.

Instead, current starter Mark Sanchez had the worst season of his career, with Tebow staring a hole in his back on the bench. After pulling Sanchez late in the season and opting for Greg McElroy, Ryan and the Jets never started Tebow at quarterback in his 12 games last season, and New York eventually released.

Even with no current NFL contract, Forbes still named Tebow the most influential athlete in America, citing his 2.2 million Twitter followers, and his Christian faith.

In his three-year career Tebow has passed for 2,422 yards and 17 touchdowns, and rushed for 989 yards and 12 scores.