The New York Jets were the ones who traded for Tim Tebow, but the Jacksonville Jaguars were right there with them hoping to make the deal themselves. It was long suspected that the Jaguars' interest in Tebow is driven mostly by new owner Shahid Khan, and not GM Gene Smith.
Khan basically confirmed that in a statement after the Jags missed out on Tebow.
"Earlier this week I asked (General Manager) Gene Smith and his staff to explore the potential of acquiring Tim Tebow. I think we have a duty to consider all avenues of improving the Jaguars on and off the field, especially given the unique circumstances involving the player.
"I appreciate the high level of due diligence Gene and his staff dedicated to this matter, even as late as this evening, and I am very satisfied with the outcome. Our commitment to developing Blaine Gabbert was, and still is, central to our goal of returning the Jaguars to elite status in the NFL. We're looking ahead with zero regrets."
Tebow is from Florida and the Jags play in Florida, so the idea was that Tebow's popularity would be a good business decision for the Jaguars as well as helping him on the field..
For more reactions on the Tebow situation, stay tuned to the SB Nation blogs Gang Green Nation for the Jets and Big Cat Country for the Jaguars, as well as our ongoing StoryStream.