Move over Linsanity. The Jets want to bring Tebowmania to Broadway.
The Jets have had serious internal discussions about trading for Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, according to a team source.
The Jets lost the Peyton Manning Sweepstakes earlier this month but they may benefit from Manning’s arrival in Denver. The Broncos no longer need Tebow, the God-loving, comeback-leading quarterback who became a national sensation last fall. It is a widely held belief around the NFL the Broncos will now trade him.
The Jets hope to position themselves at the front of that line. Tebow could give the Jets a new dimension at quarterback to complement starter Mark Sanchez. Tebow could run the Wildcat formation, a favorite of head coach Rex Ryan and new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano.
The Jets, a source said, also think Tebow could have a positive effect in repairing their dysfunctional locker room. It would give the Jets a huge surge of interest. Members of the Jets organization have noticed what Jeremy Lin has done with the Knicks. Tebow in New York could be even bigger.
GM Mike Tannenbaum would not comment on Tebow yesterday.
“Tim Tebow is a player under contract to another team,” he said.
ESPN reported the Jaguars, Packers and Dolphins also are interested. Last night, an Orlando TV station , citing a source close to Tebow, said a trade to the Jets or Jaguars is expected by midday today.
According to FOXSports.com, Shahid Khan, the Jaguars’ new owner, fnished negotiating with Tebow’s representatives and the Broncos late last night. Tebow hails from Jacksonville, but a source said he would prefer playing time over a return to his hometown.
Bringing in Tebow, 24, would come with plenty of risk for the Jets. The team gave Sanchez a three-year extension after missing out on Manning. If ultra-popular Tebow is Sanchez’s backup, that is a quarterback controversy waiting to happen every time Sanchez plays poorly.
One Jets player took to Twitter yesterday to say he was not in favor of bringing in Tebow.
”We don’t need Tebow,” cornerback Antonio Cromartie posted to his account. “We sell out every home game. Let him go to Jacksonville, Tampa or Miami..”
Tebow turned the Broncos’ season around last year but struggled with accuracy. One of his most dramatic moments came against the Jets when he led a game-winning, 95-yard drive that he finished with a 20-yard touchdown run.
Broncos VP John Elway did not say specifically what the team’s plans are for Tebow, but said, “It would be our goal for us to get [Tebow] in the best situation possible.”
The Jets signed Drew Stanton last week to be Sanchez’s backup. Tannenbaum expressed confidence in him yesterday on a conference call with reporters.
It is unclear what the Broncos are seeking in return for Tebow, though one source told FOX Sports it would be a third-round pick.