After the Denver Broncos signed Peyton Manning, quarterback Tim Tebow needed a new home. He's found it. Tebow has been shipped to the New York Jets for a fourth-round draft pick.
Tebow became a sensation during the 2011 season. After starting the season as a back-up to Kyle Orton, he started in a string of late-in-the-game comebacks. The Broncos released Orton, and Tebow seemed to be their man. But when Manning was released by the Colts, Bronco general manager John Elway jumped at the chance to sign him.
With the Jets, Tebow will have to compete with Mark Sanchez for a starting job. Sanchez threw seven interceptions in his last games as the team fell apart in the midst of a playoff race. They finished the season 8-8, with losses to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants and the hapless Miami Dolphins keeping the Jets from playoff contention.
One site who covers the Jets closely says that this trade is a sign the Jets have no plan behind their player personnel.
This move really does not make a ton of sense on any number of levels, but the most disturbing part of it is how it displays the Jets really do not have any sort of structured plan on building their franchise.
They hire Tony Sparano to try and go ground and pound. They give their quarterback, whose value is diminished by Sparano's philosophy, one of the richest contracts in the sport and decide to commit to him for two years. Now they trade for another quarterback for whom a large segment of the fan base and media will be calling to start immediately.
One thing Tebow will do is bring plenty of interest to a team who needs to pay for the New Meadowlands. A quarterback controversy that involves one of the most divisive players in the league may not help win games, but it will sell tickets.