Elway: Tebow has earned starter's role

Englewood, CO – Tim Tebow will apparently enter the 2012 season as the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

The Broncos held their season-ending press conference Monday after the team's 45-10 loss to New England in the AFC Divisional Playoffs on Saturday and executive vice president of football operations John Elway said Tebow has earned the starting nod.

"Tim has earned the right to be the starting quarterback going into training camp next year," Elway said Monday. "He made some good strides."

Tebow's style of play has come under scrutiny because he is not the most efficient passer. However, he did become the starter after the Broncos opened 1-4, helped the team to an AFC West title with a record of 8-8 and produced a stunning wild card victory over Pittsburgh before Saturday's setback.

The second-year signal-caller completed just 46.5 percent of his passes for 1,729 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions during the regular season. He was also the team's second-leading rusher with 660 yards and led the squad with six scores on the ground.

"There are things that I can add," Elway said when asked how a Hall of Fame quarterback of his stature can help in Tebow's progression. "I'm looking forward to being able to [help]. I want to be able to be involved with Tim, give him my advice, what I see."

There could be competition for Tebow in camp next year, as the Broncos only have two quarterbacks under contract.

"We have to, obviously, be in the market to find some more QBs in free agency or the draft," Elway remarked.

Elway also credited first-year Broncos head coach John Fox for the team's turnaround and first playoff appearance since 2005.

"A lot of the credit goes to John Fox," Elway stated. "He's done a tremendous job. He was able to pull everything he could out of the players that we had. I can't say enough about John and the job he did this year."

Fox joined the Broncos after a nine-year run as head coach of the Carolina Panthers.