A group of Jacksonville Jaguars fans have held a rally to try to persuade the team to sign free-agent quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow was released by the New England Patriots during the final roster cuts at the end of last month, leaving the former Heisman Trophy winner without a team for the start of the current NFL season.

However, a group of around 20 Jaguars fans staged the first of a number of public appeals for their side to sign the quarterback, beginning a three hour and 16 minute rally at 3.16pm yesterday as a nod to Tebow's outspoken religious beliefs.

"We've accomplished what we had hoped for the first time out. The Jaguars' season is really in the tank. They don't have a lot of promise. There's not a lot to watch," James Stewart, one of the group's organisers, told ESPN.

"We're consumers and the Jaguars are a product, and there's a lot of room for improvement. Tebow, we think, would be value added if he were to be signed and given an opportunity at quarterback.

"It's the perfect time in our view to do a Tebow experiment. Whether you like him or not, I think everyone would watch. It would be compelling."

Tebow, a first round draft pick in 2010, has failed to establish himself as a starting quarterback during spells at the Denver Broncos and the New York Jets.