Tebow wasn't choice of Jets owner

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NEW YORK, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Trading for quarterback Tim Tebow wasn't New York Jets owner Woody Johnson's idea, as widely assumed, a man who interviewed to head the Jets' front office said.

Former Broncos GM Ted Sundquist said Johnson told him nine days ago the Jets' trade for Tebow wasn't his idea, ESPNNewYork.com reported.

The website noted there is a widespread perception that the Jets traded for Tebow, a first-round selection by Denver in the 2010 NFL Draft, at the instigation of Johnson, but Sundquist said during the interview he got the impression the trade was "forced" on Johnson and team president Neil Glat.

His description of the Jets job interview makes it sound as though Johnson was blaming former GM Mike Tannenbaum, who was fired at season's end, for the Tebow trade.

Tebow saw action on just 73 offensive plays during the 2012 season, when the Jets went 6-10. The Jets are expected to ship him out during the off-season but no other NFL teams are showing interest in acquiring him.