Tim Tebow may be in the NFL after 9 years away, and it raised more questions about why Colin Kaepernick never got another shot

• Tim Tebow appears to be getting a second shot in the NFL before Colin Kaepernick.
• Tebow hasn't played in nine years, hasn't played tight end, and played worse than Kaepernick at QB.
• Kaepernick critics have argued he would be a locker-room distraction, but Tebow remains a celebrity in his own right.

The surprise NFL news of the day came as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars intended to sign Tim Tebow ... as a tight end.

According to Rapoport, nothing is official, but it's expected that Tebow will reunite with Urban Meyer, who is head coach of the Jaguars after coaching Tebow at Florida.

Tebow has not played in an NFL game since 2012. And he has never played tight end.

Many quickly pointed out that Tebow appeared to be getting a chance in the NFL, at a new position, after a long absence, before Colin Kaepernick.

As recently as six months ago, Kaepernick was still working out five days a week hoping for a return to the NFL.

The NFL has seemingly softened its stance on Kaepernick, even including him in a recent social-justice video. However, he has remained unsigned, and Kaepenick and Eric Reid blasted the video.

Some compared one common argument against Kaepernick - that the media coverage around him would be a distraction, especially if he were a backup - to the situation with Tebow, who remains a celebrity in the sports world.

NFL Network's Judy Battista argued that Tebow's presence would "overshadow" the Jaguars' new era, which includes this year's No. 1 draft pick, Trevor Lawrence.

Battista said if Tebow made it to training camp, "he's going to, to some degree, overshadow this new era with Trevor Lawrence."

She added: "I do think you have to question how much of a shadow is he going to cast over the organization that is trying to start anew."

Some members of the NFL world also questioned the idea that Tebow would be a positive locker-room presence, as he'd be given a second chance in the NFL without necessarily earning it through play.

Tebow went 8-6 as a starting quarterback in the NFL, completing 47.9% of his passes for 2,422 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He had a passer rating of 75.9.

He then moved to professional baseball, making it to the New York Mets' Triple-A team in 2019. He announced his retirement from baseball in February.

Tebow has also worked at ESPN, covering college football.

Kaepernick, meanwhile, has been training for another shot in the NFL, though it doesn't appear as if he's had serious suitors since a league-coordinated audition in 2019 went sideways.

In 58 games as a starter, Kaepernick went 28-30, throwing for 12,271 yards, completing 59.8% of his passes for 72 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and a passer rating of 88.9. He has not played since 2016.

In 2018, Kaepernick settled a collusion grievance with the NFL.