If Mallett is that good then I'd say a cut at the end of training camp for Tebow is more likely. The Pats may just be kicking the tires to see if Tebow has changed. If he hasn't then his time in New England will be very short.
Maybe Tebow lost his “quarterback or nothing” mindset, finally. I could see him playing TE for the Pats. Maybe they are kicking the tires in that manner.