The NFL's most polarizing player has a new team, but not a defined role on that team.

ESPN's Ed Werder first reported Monday evening that the New England Patriots had agreed with Tim Tebow on a contract and that he would be in the team's minicamp on Tuesday. Tebow and Patriots head coach Bill Belichick both spoke to the media about the first day of work.

"First and foremost, I just want to thank the Patriots for giving me an opportunity," Tebow told reporters as he was leaving the practice field. "I'm very thankful. It's such an honor to be a Patriot and play for coach [Bill] Belichick and coach [Josh] McDaniels, and learn under Tom [Brady] and be a part of this great franchise and very successful franchise. I found out first hand; lost to them several times."

Belichick praised the newly signed quarterback but did not provide a committed response to the position he would play as a Patriot. ESPN reported that its sources said Tebow will be listed as a QB.

WATCH: ESPN's analysts discuss the role Tebow could play on his new team.

"Tim is a talented player that's smart and works hard," Belichick said with his typical, stone-cold expression. "We'll see how it goes."

ESPN reported 14 consecutive Tebow-related questions before Belichick said, "I think I've covered it. Anything else?"

This will be the first time in the 25-year-old's career where he will not have a shot at the starting QB position, which is held down by Brady. ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter said on Twitter that the Patriots signed Tebow "to play QB. Backup QB" and that "Tom Brady will not lose a play."

However, Tebow is expected to compete with Ryan Mallet for the backup job. Aaron Hernandez, who also played with Tebow at the University of Florida, said he did not know how the team would utilize the oft-criticized QB.

"Once I heard the information I was a little shocked and I was happy," Hernandez said. "There's a reason why he's here. I actually don't now the reason yet but we'll see... I'm sure he'll be doing a few things here. That's up to Bill Belichick."

Las week, Belichick deflected reports from an article published in Yahoo! Sports last month indicating the head coach disliked Tebow.

"Yeah, I like Tim. I have a lot of respect for Tim," he told ESPNBoston.com.

Schefter reported Tuesday morning that Tebow, who will wear number five, signed a two-year deal with no money guaranteed. No further details of the contract have been released.

The move also reunites Tebow with the coach who drafted him in Denver, where Tebow started for the Broncos and led them to the playoffs before being crushed by the Patriots.

Josh McDaniels, who is now the Patriots' offensive coordinator, traded up in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft to pick Tebow.