How long will Tim Tebow lead the Broncos?

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Tim Tebow has earned the starting quarterback job with the Denver Broncos, but how long will he keep it (assuming he stays healthy)?

Is it only a matter of time before demoted starter Kyle Orton or backup Brady Quinn are called on? Or is Tebow there to stay, on his way to becoming the next John Elway in the hearts of Broncos fans (that is, the seemingly few fans in Denver who have not already embraced him in such a way).

Writers from around Tribune Co. will be discussing the topic -- check back throughout the day for their responses. You can join the discussion by voting in the poll and leaving a comment of your own.

[Updated at 10:18 a.m.:

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune

One of the reasons it took a while for Broncos Coach John Fox to listen to the Tebow chants is it will be difficult to turn back to Kyle Orton now. Barring injury, it makes sense for the team to stick with Tim Tebow the rest of the way.

The Broncos are 1-4 and going nowhere anyway. What they need to do is find out if Tebow can play, and the only way to do that is to give him an extended look. It might mean living with some rough performances. But the Broncos will be better able to draw up an offseason plan once they know exactly what they have in Tebow.

If Tebow is anything like his former Florida teammate, Cam Newton, the Broncos will be asking themselves, ‘What took us so long?’]

[Updated at 1:17 p.m.:

Todd M. Adams, Orlando Sentinel

If you are the Denver Broncos, why not keep Tebow as your starter the rest of the season?

The equation is simple. Tebow is a former first-round pick. The Broncos stink again. Now is the perfect time for them to find out what they’ve got.

This is not a rip on Kyle Orton, who seems to be a consistently good quarterback who always gets pushed to the curb. But there is a reason: He’s not a franchise quarterback.

Is Tebow a franchise quarterback? There is a lot of debate on that. And that’s my point -– it’s time to find out.

On Sunday against Oakland, Tebow showed that he can at least be effective, rallying his team to a near win. That will fuel the fire to get him in games. Even if he fails, giving him a chance is the right thing to do at this point. And there is at least a 50/50 shot he will succeed.]

[Updated at 1:45 p.m.:

Athan Atsales, Los Angeles Times

Sitting at 1-4 and having no illusions of reaching the postseason, the Denver Broncos better start Tebow the rest of the season. The coaching staff has to discover what they have in Tim Tebow. No, they don’t need to see if they can turn him into a pro-style pocket passer, because that is not going to happen. The Broncos need to see if the unique talents of the left-hander can provide some kind of spark, meaning can he put some Ws in the standings.

Bottom line, if the Broncos want to make Tebow their future, they will need major personnel adjustments next season, adjusting the talent to fit with Tebow’s non-traditional style of play. Denver has to hope that 11 starts are enough to be able to see into the future, because it might not be.

Steve Svekis, South Florida Sun Sentinel

From the looping hitch in his throwing motion to his propensity to run in executing his unique brand of offense, Tebow probably will not start the remainder of the Denver Broncos games this season. However, if he does go to post for the next 11 games, more power to him. He has every positive intangible an athlete can possess and he is good for the NFL, for however long he can last.

To be clear, Kyle Orton shouldn’t start another game. The Broncos need to accomplish what the Dolphins wanted to with Chad Henne this season: See if the unproven player they invested so much in has the goods or not. He is going to get pounded, though. That’s what will keep him from the NFL finish line in 2011.]

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