Tim Tebow Was ‘Forced’ On Owner Woody Johnson, New Jets GM Says

Tim Tebow was seen as a favorite of Jets owner Woody Johnson when he was brought in last offseason, but the team’s new general manager now says that was not really how it happened.

The Jets brought in Tebow during the 2012 offseason after the quarterback led the Broncos into the playoffs and to a Wild Card round defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tebow was expected to run the Wildcat offense in New York and have a chance to supplant the struggling Mark Sanchez this season, but instead he played little and was passed over for third-string rookie Greg McElroy when Sanchez struggled.

It now appears that Tim Tebow was actually a pickup from former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, and not necessarily a favorite of Johnson or coach Rex Ryan.

From ESPN:

“Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist, who interviewed for the job nine days ago, said Johnson told him it wasn’t his idea. Sundquist said it was his impression that the trade was “forced” on Johnson and team president Neil Glat, who also participated in the interview.

“Sundquist’s description of the interview makes it sound as though Johnson was blaming former GM Mike Tannenbaum for the Tebow debacle; in a sense, Johnson did exactly that, firing Tannenbaum one day after the regular season ended.”

The lost year with the Jets hurt Tim Tebow, who may now be out of options in the NFL. He was said to be headed to his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, but new Jags general manager David Caldwell said Tebow isn’t part of is plans for the team, ESPN reported.