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Tim Tebow's playing career looks over after he is hired as an ESPN analyst (but he still plans a triumphant NFL return)

Tim Tebow takes analyst job with ESPN, covering college football and will make screen debut on January 6
Former NFL quarterback will appear on SEC Nation, a pregame show that will travel to a different campus every week
One-time national sensation cut by New England Patriots in August 2013
But Tebow says he will continue to pursue his dream of playing quarterback in the NFL alongside his new media career

By Daily Mail Reporter and Associated Press

PUBLISHED: 10:21 EST, 31 December 2013 | UPDATED: 11:19 EST, 31 December 2013

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Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow is taking a job as a TV analyst, leading to strong speculation that his playing days are over, but he's not giving up on an unlikely return to the field just yet.

ESPN announced on Monday that Tebow, 26, has been hired as a college football analyst for their new SEC Network in a return to his Florida glory days, where he won The Heisman Trophy in 2007.

Tebow will appear on SEC Nation, a pregame show that will travel to a different campus each week after the channel launches in August, but he'll start his new duties as soon as January 6.

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Behind the mike: Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow talks to reporters during his short spell at the New England Patriots. He is now taking a job as a TV analyst with ESPN

The former Denver Broncos and New York Jets star will take up the mike at the BCS Championship game in the first week of 2014.

His multiyear deal 'will not preclude him from continuing to pursue playing opportunities in the NFL,' ESPN said in a statement on Monday.

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Tebow did not play in the league in 2013 after he was cut by the Patriots in August. In just over one season, he went from a national sensation who led the Broncos to the playoffs, to a backup, to out of the NFL.

'While I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC,' Tebow said in a statement.

Rise and fall: In just over one season, Tebow went from a national sensation who led the Denver Broncos to the playoffs, to a backup, to out of the NFL. He was cut by the Patriots (who he is pictured throwing for in a pre-season game) in August

Yet many experts were skeptical that the former star could make a successful return to NFL.

Former NFL cornerback turned ESPN analyst Eric Allen said that working at the network and continuing a pro career would be 'very difficult.'

'You can't do both,' the ex-Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders star added.

ESPN senior vice president Justin Connolly called Tebow an 'SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal.'

After winning the 2007 Heisman and two national championships for the Gators in the SEC, Tebow became one of the biggest stories in the NFL in his second season.

He went 7-1 in his first eight starts in 2011 then threw an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime to give the Broncos a 29-23 playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

VIDEO: Tim Tebow joins ESPN as an analyst

College days: ESPN cover the SEC in Hoover, Alabama. Tebow will appear on SEC Nation, a new pregame show in August, but he'll start his new duties as soon as January 6

But he was still dogged by doubts about his passing ability, and Denver traded him that offseason to the New York Jets after acquiring Peyton Manning.

He languished on the bench while coach Rex Ryan ignored fans' calls for Tebow to replace a struggling Mark Sanchez. Tebow threw just eight passes, ran only 32 times and was cut last April 29.

For six weeks no team wanted him until the Patriots signed him to a low-risk, two-year contract with no guaranteed money.

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Looking for a life, Houston, 11 minutes ago

OMG Another reason not to watch the boring talking heads on ESPN !!

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drbranch1956, Long Beach, 24 minutes ago

How can this guy be planning a "triumphant return" to the NFL when his "career" never got off the ground in the first place? Let's hope he can talk football, apparently, he can't play it!

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Eduardo, Seattle, United States, 3 hours ago

At the NFL level Tim Tebow just couldn't read the defense pre-snap and worse he couldn't run through his progressions fast enough to do well passing. I could never figure why any NFL GM thought he could play QB at that level. I think he could be a good linebacker on D, or even a fullback on O if any NFL team is looking for a fullback. Not a lot of glamour at fullback, but then people say that Tim is not egocentric.

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Austin Guy, Austin, United States, 1 hour ago

Yeah, really surprised they did not try to retrain him for TE or something. Maybe he prefers the entertainment gig. Shame he could not tone down the Jesus stuff on the field though, not every fan appreciates the guy who's wages they are paying for ramming his religion down their throat.

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Looking for a life, Houston, 9 minutes ago

He'll still be ramming religion down our throats on ESPN ! I am so finished with this guy !!!!!!!

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Kctiede, Orlando, United States, 4 hours ago

I will watch Tebow where ever he goes. He is HOT!!! Oh baby!

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Looking for a life, Houston, 8 minutes ago

It's difficult to know from your name, whether you are male or female ! Still, I guess it doesn't really matter in this day and age !!

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null, 4 hours ago

His Mom and Dad have a large orphanage in the Philippines, and he supports their work, maybe he was trying to help them with a big contract, but it never happened.

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Alexei, New York City, 5 hours ago

SEC Nation? This is a TV show which won't go live until August 2014. Hmm.

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null, 5 hours ago

He is not an NFL Quarterback. He did well at Florida, but the NFL is tougher to succeed in. He would make a better TE ( tight end) because of his size. Timmy however is a very likeable guy, he also is a good Christian and walks the walk, not talk only. Wish him well..

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CyMo, Paris, United States, 1 hour ago

If Byron Leftwich could hold a clipboard in the NFL for 9 years, then Tebow certainly can.

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up North, Alaska, 5 hours ago

Lol

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theinsurgent, Detroit, MI, U.S., 6 hours ago

He's done. Time for serious acting and news casting classes along with good PR firm. It is not easy to make it as a sportscaster.

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horace, lovehole, United States, 9 hours ago

Last time I check, religion did the most damage to humanity during Medieval times, Why the bashing so many centuries later? If anything, the religious creeps go running to their corner as soon as they hear the media bashing on religion, They have no balls to stand up and fight.

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null, 5 hours ago

Well Horace, maybe that' s because The Lord teaches Christians in his word: " Vengeance is mine, I shall repay saith The Lord" Tim is 6'4 250 Lbs, I am sure if he wanted to defend himself he' d win..