Tebowmania is officially headed to New York.
The Jets capped a surreal day that included a premature trade announcement by pulling off a deal for lightning-rod quarterback Tim Tebow Wednesday night.
Eight hours after Gang Green tweeted that it had acquired the Denver quarterback, the Jets and Broncos overcame a contractual snag to bring the popular and polarizing signal caller to the Big Apple.
“I’m excited to be a Jet,” Tebow said on a conference call late Wednesday.
PHOTOS: A TIMELINE OF TIM TEBOW’S CAREER FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO GANG GREEN
Tebow, who will back up maligned starter Mark Sanchez, said the Jet quarterback called him Wednesday, and when Tebow called him back, they “had a great conversation. We’ll be able to push each other to get better.”
But is New York ready for Tebowmania?
“We’re going to find out,” Rex Ryan told TMZ.com as he walked through Newark Liberty International Airport on Wednesday afternoon.
GANG GREEN FANS SPLIT OVER TEBOW TRADE
The day after the Daily News first reported that Gang Green had legitimate interest in the lefty QB, Tebow became a Jet.
“I would never bet against Tebow,” a Jets source told The News. “He is a winner no matter how you slice it.”
LUPICA: JETS TRADE FOR A QB… AND CONTROVERSY
Gang Green traded fourth- and sixth-round picks in next month’s draft for Tebow and a seventh-rounder. They also cleared a financial hurdle that threatened to nullify the trade.
Tebow received $6.3 million in advances from the Broncos during the 2011 season for the final four years of his rookie contract. The Broncos believed that the Jets should pay them the $5.1 million in advance salaries paid to Tebow for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons. Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who believes that Tebow’s addition makes the Jets a “diverse, more dynamic offense,” said that both teams had “a disagreement on how the advance should be handled.”
NAMATH BAFFLED BY JETS MOVE FOR TEBOW
The Jets tweeted that an agreement had been reached early in the day before both sides finally struck a deal eight hours later. The Jets eventually agreed to pay the Broncos half of the outstanding $5.1 million, according to a source.
After the snag, the Jaguars — Tebow’s hometown team — hopped back into trade talks with Denver. The Jets reportedly offered a more attractive package to the Broncos.
MYERS: TEBOW AND SANCHEZ CRAZY ENOUGH TO WORK
“I’m looking forward to a new chapter in my life,” Tebow said.
Tebow’s arrival potentially undercuts Sanchez, the incumbent who is at a career crossroads after a turbulent season. Just two weeks after Sanchez received a three-year extension, Tannenbaum — who spoke to Sanchez on Wednesday to explain the Jets’ rationale for adding Tebow — announced that the former Broncos’ QB will be No. 2 on the depth chart.
“Mark Sanchez is, has been and will be our starting quarterback,” Tannenbaum said. “Tim is our backup quarterback.
“. . . It’s exciting to know that we’ve solidified the position.”
LIKE LIN, TEBOW WILL IMPACT MADISON AVE.
Tebow, who has three years remaining on his five-year, $9.8 million rookie contract, will be used in several packages, including the Wildcat, Tannenbaum said. He is far from a polished passer, with a career 47.3 completion percentage. Despite that, he rallied the Broncos to an AFC West title and a playoff win last season.
“We have the offseason to figure out his initial role,” a Jets source said. “I’m curious to see how his development is coming at quarterback.”
Some in the Jets’ organization believe that Tebow’s character could play an important role in bringing together a fractured locker room.
Tebow added Wednesday that he has been a fan of Ryan “ever since I saw (HBO’s) ‘Hard Knocks’. “
The Jets will almost certainly take advantage of Tebow’s greatest asset: his legs. Last season, Tebow rushed for 660 yards and six touchdowns, including a 20-yarder to beat the Jets in the final minute. Tebowmania dominated the headlines and turned into a national phenomenon while the devout Christian spawned the “Tebowing” craze by kneeling in prayer alone on the sidelines.
Several Jets sources told The News that they were cautiously optimistic about adding Tebow. However, one outspoken Jet remained skeptical.
“Y bring Tebow in when we need to bring in more Weapons for @Mark_Sanchez,” cornerback Antonio Cromartie tweeted on Wednesday morning before the deal was finalized. “Let’s build the team around him.”
Sanchez said last week that winning games would be the “ultimate defense” to quieting criticism from teammates first reported in The News in January. However, Tebow’s presence could add an altogether different element to threaten his goal to be the Jets’ unquestioned offensive leader.
“We obviously know that Tim has a magnetic following and he’s a dynamic person,” Tannenbaum said. “We understand the popularity of any backup quarterback, and this one is a little bit more unique than others.”
Before the trade was announced, Sanchez had told Fox Sports Radio in Los Angeles Wednesday of Tebow, “He knows how to inspire players,” before adding that he isn’t a big fan of lining up as a wide receiver on Wildcat plays. “I don’t know if I’m very good split out like that. And I don’t like coming off the field.”
He may have no choice now.