Quarterback Tim Tebow was released by the New York Jets.
Tebow arrived at the team facility Monday for voluntary workouts and was informed in a face-to-face meeting that he would officially be waived.
“We have a great deal of respect for Tim Tebow,” said Jets coach Rex Ryan. “Unfortunately, things did not work out the way we all had hoped. Tim is an extremely hard worker, evident by the shape he came back in this offseason. We wish him the best moving forward.”
The transaction will cost the Jets $1.45 million against the salary cap.
The Jets drafted Geno Smith in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The 39th overall pick joins Mark Sanchez, David Garrard, Greg McElroy and undrafted free agent Matt Simms on the quarterback depth chart.
Tebow was acquired in March 2012 from the Denver Broncos as a read-option weapon the team would use as a complement to Sanchez, a dropback passer, under offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. The 25-year-old had resurrected a 1-4 team and guided them to the AFC West title and a playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous season. He became expendable in Denver when Peyton Manning signed a five-year deal with the Broncos.
But the Tebow experiment never made it out of the lab in New York.
His main role was on special teams, He had just 32 rushing attempts for 102 yards and completed six of eight passes.
Tebow’s roster spot was perilous when the Jets fired Sparano and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who orchestrated the move for Tebow.