Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller is apparently open to being a mentor for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ newest star, Tim Tebow.
The Jaguars are doing the 2021 offseason in style. Urban Meyer rose from the college ranks to become head coach, then, the prodigal Trevor Lawrence was drafted number one overall, and Tim Tebow came back to play tight end.
We all remember Tebow the Bronco. He was a polarizing figure in Denver, but ultimately was a very beatable quarterback who found himself out of the league. Tebow is coming back to Florida to face an uphill climb in a new role.
A superstar has reached out to give him some pointers.
Darren Waller knows how to rebound
Darren Waller is no stranger to comeback stories. Raider Nation’s favorite pass catcher was a reclamation project himself. He turned his career, and his life around, following his expulsion from the league for substance abuse in 2017.
Since then, he’s been on fire.
Waller was Pro Football Focus’s third-best tight end for 2021. He lit the league on fire with 1,196 yards and nine touchdowns in Las Vegas’ run-heavy offense. He has a passion for football and gratitude for a second lease on life.
.@DanHanzus predicts each AFC team's MVP: Darren Waller, not Travis Kelce, could be NFL's most productive tight end in 2021https://t.co/AJsCYUM7v5 pic.twitter.com/qdvqkMKSYf
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 29, 2021
Waller has a first-person perspective on what it takes to get back into the league after an extended absence. He also knows a thing or two about switching positions.
Initially, Waller was a college wide receiver for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He switched to tight end with the Ravens and has played the role ever since. While tight ends catch passes like receivers, the two positions are worlds apart.
The Ravens saw the combination of his physical gifts and playing ability. He wasn’t handed anything as a sixth-round draft pick. He had to work for every opportunity he was given to touch the field. Jon Gruden took notice and snatched him off Baltimore’s practice squad.
Now he’s offering to pay it forward.
The Raiders’ Darren Waller offers Tim Tebow guidance
Darren Waller has offered his tutelage to Tim Tebow.
The 2020 Pro Bowler spoke to TMZ Sports about the Florida Gator legend finding his path in Jacksonville.
https://t.co/iTabrE63RZ Darren Waller says if Tim Tebow wants his advice on the tight end position … he'd gladly give it — telling TMZ Sports he's down to be a mentor of sorts for the new Jaguar!
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) July 5, 2021
‘If he thinks he can learn from me,’ Waller said of Tebow, ‘Then I’d love to help him and help make his transition smoother. I tried to find any information I could from watching guys play or asking people when I moved. So, I’d love to continue to pass that on and help him be a better player.’ – Darren Waller via TMZ Sports
Tebow should take him up on the offer. Learning from one of the best in the league has its own merit. Compounding Waller’s personal experience fighting back into the league and switching positions makes it that much more valuable.
Waller truly does everything well. He is an able blocker, a monster route runner, he embarrasses defensive backs one-on-one and racks up YAC with ease.
Tebow will need all the help he can get. He’s essentially a 33-year old rookie. He will compete with guys like Luke Farrell and James O’Shaughnessy to earn a starting role. Could he see the field in a “Taysom Hill” package?
His age is going to be the hardest challenge to overcome. Taking advice from the heartbeat of the Raider’s offense would go a long way towards shedding his meme-like image with the Jaguars.
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*Top Photo: David Zalubowski/Associated Press
