National Football League

Eagles have released Tim Tebow

Published Sep. 5, 2015 1:09 p.m. ET

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Tebow's time is up in Philadelphia.

The Eagles released Tim Tebow on Saturday along with 21 other players before the NFL's roster deadline at 4 p.m.

Tebow had seemingly won the No. 3 quarterback job when Philadelphia traded Matt Barkley to Arizona on Friday. But coach Chip Kelly cut Tebow following his best preseason performance at the New York Jets on Thursday night.

''We felt Tim has progressed, but we didn't feel he was good enough to be the (No.) 3 right now,'' Kelly said.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was trying to return to the NFL after missing two seasons.

The Eagles currently have only two quarterbacks on the roster: Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez. Bradford looked sharp in limited preseason action, but he had surgery to repair a torn left ACL twice since he last played in a regular-season game in October 2013.

''He really improved his throwing motion from when he was throwing a couple of years ago,'' Kelly said. ''He worked extremely hard on it and deserves a lot of credit for that. I talked to him a little earlier (Saturday) when we released him.

''He just needs to get more playing time. Get out there and get actual reps. Because he has done a ton on his own from an individual basis, but it is about taking that next step and playing (in) the game.''

It's possible Tebow returns to the Eagles if either Bradford or Sanchez get hurt. He also can come back after the season opener and his contract won't be guaranteed.

For now, the Eagles are going forward without him.

''We are not done,'' Kelly said. ''There could be a third quarterback. We'll see what happens with the waiver wire. Whether we add a quarterback to the active roster or the practice squad, we'll see.''

Tebow was 11 for 17 for 189 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Jets. He showed his accuracy has improved since his first stint in the NFL. Tebow finished the preseason 21 of 36 for 286 yards, two TDs and one interception. He also ran for 82 yards and one TD.

Tebow last played in a regular-season game with the Jets in 2012. He was cut by New England in training camp in 2013. He worked as a college football analyst on the SEC Network last year, but got another chance to play in the NFL when the Eagles signed him in the offseason.

Tebow led Florida to the national championship his junior season and was a first-round pick by Denver in 2010. He started 16 games during two seasons with the Broncos, including a playoff victory over Pittsburgh in January 2012. Tebow was traded to the Jets after Denver signed Peyton Manning.

In addition to Tebow, among those also released were 2014 draft picks cornerback Jaylen Watkins (fourth round) and safety Ed Reynolds (fifth round) and 2015 draft picks cornerback Randall Evans (sixth round) and Brian Mihalik (seventh round).

Also released were wide receivers Rasheed Bailey, Jeff Maehl, Freddie Martino and Quron Pratt, veteran offensive linemen John Moffitt and Julian Vandervelde, rookie offensive linemen Brett Boyko and Malcolm Bunche; running back Raheem Mostert and tight ends Eric Tomlinson and Andrew Geichert.

On the defensive side, the Eagles released linebackers Najee Goode, Diaheem Watkins and Deontae Skinner, veteran safety Chris Prosinski, and defensive lineman Travis Raciti. Punter/kicker Kip Smith was also released.

As of Saturday, the Eagles' roster limit was at 52, one under the league limit.

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