NFL: New York Jets officially trade for Tim Tebow

The Denver Broncos and the New York Jets successfully ironed out their trade issues, paving the way for Tim Tebow to head to the Big Apple, ESPN reported on Wednesday (Thursday, PHL time).   The Broncos will send Tebow and a 2012 seventh-round draft pick, and will receive the Jets' fourth and sixth-round picks in the upcoming April draft.   The hitch in the trade was a contract stipulation in Tebow's deal that said he was owed $5 million in salary advances. At first, the Broncos wanted the Jets to shoulder the additional money, while the New York team felt Denver ought to be the one to pay.  

NY has agreed to pay half of the $5 million in compensation back to Denver that was in dispute in Tim Tebow trade.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2012

The two sides eventually agreed to split the difference, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.   When the deal seemed to be on the rocks, the Jacksonville Jaguars briefly re-entered the picture, with Schefter tweeting out that Tebow would be allowed to decide between the two teams.  

Tim Tebow is being allowed to pick the team he wants to go to. He picks the trade. Jets or Jacksonville.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2012

Ultimately, last season's king of the comeback will be New York-bound, to a team that went 8-8 in the previous season.   Denver also went 8-8, but won their division, sending Tebow to the playoffs, where he pulled off a first-round upset, dispatching the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 on the first play of overtime.   While Tebow's popularity cannot be doubted, some analysts are critical of the deal, especially since the Jets recently handed the presumed incumbent quarterback Matt Sanchez a hefty contract extension. Jets legend Joe Namath also gave the deal a big thumb's down, calling it a "publicity stunt." - AMD, GMA News