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Report: Patriots Sign Tim Tebow

BOSTON (CBS) -- Tim Tebow is a New England Patriot.

ESPN's Ed Werder broke the shocking news via Twitter late Monday afternoon, adding that Tebow is expected to be present for the start of Patriots minicamp on Tuesday.

CBS Sports' Mike Freeman later confirmed the news via Twitter, adding that Tebow "will study a great deal of tight end."

Tebow, 25, was released by the New York Jets after the team drafted Geno Smith in this year's draft.

Tebow was selected in the first round, 25th overall, in 2010. He led the Broncos to the playoffs in 2011, where they beat the Steelers before losing to the Patriots in the divisional round.

Josh McDaniels, currently the Patriots' offensive coordinator, drafted Tebow as head coach of the Broncos back in 2010.

READ: Tim Tebow To Patriots- - What Will It Mean?

The Patriots released quarterback Mike Kafka to make room on the roster for Tebow.

It's unclear what role Tebow will fill in New England. Tom Brady, obviously, has a rather firm hold on the starting quarterback's job, while Ryan Mallett has served as the backup for the past two seasons.

With the Jets, Tebow was used in more roles than just quarterback. After he completed 126 passes for 1,729 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011, Tebow was just 6-for-8 for 39 yards last season.

Earlier this offseason, Yahoo! Sports' Michael Silver reported that Patriots head coach Bill Belichick "hated" Tebow as a player, a claim Belichick strongly refuted last week.

"Every single player has strengths and weaknesses but regardless of that, for anyone to have represented that is the way I feel about Tim Tebow is completely untrue, baseless and irresponsible," Belichick told ESPN.com. "It is unfortunate that something so inaccurate was reported."

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