Jets trade QB Stanton to Colts for pick

Drew Stanton signed with the Jets to be the No. 2 quarterback, but fell to No. 3 after the team acquired Tim Tebow.

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NEW YORK (AP) -- Drew Stanton came to the Jets to be Mark Sanchez's backup. Then, along came Tim Tebow.

Less than a week after signing Stanton, the Jets traded him and a seventh-round draft pick to Indianapolis for the sixth-round pick the Colts got from Philadelphia in the trade for Winston Justice on March 14. Both picks are for this year's draft.

Stanton signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last week to back up Mark Sanchez, but became expendable when the Jets acquired Tebow from the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. After that trade, general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Tebow would be the team's No. 2 quarterback.

"It's a big relief to have this over," Stanton told The Associated Press. "I'm excited about the opportunity in Indy. I can't wait to get there and get down to business."

Stanton left the Detroit Lions for a chance to be the backup after sitting behind Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill. Stanton has played in 12 games, including four starts, since being drafted in the second round five years ago.

"A big reason I signed with the Jets was the opportunity they gave me," Stanton said. "Circumstances changed, of course, but the Jets were nothing but professional and helped me get to Indy."

But Stanton's agent, Deryk Gilmore, appeared to tweak the Jets on his Twitter page.

"Excited for the (hash)Colts to get (at)drewstanton a leader, winner, and QB not a gimmick to sell tickets," Gilmore tweeted - a reference to the Jets' trade for Tebow. "Drew will be great for (hash)Indianapolis!"

A few minutes later, Gilmore complimented the Jets.

"(hash)Jets are a class organization for doing the right thing," Gilmore wrote. "I believe in my players and know what they can do. Glad it all worked out!"

The Colts have the first pick in the draft in April and are expected to choose between quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor.

"Drew is a big, athletic and strong armed quarterback that has the intangible package we are looking for at the position," said colts general manager Ryan Grigson. "He is a young, but seasoned quarterback that has won games in this league and we look forward to seeing him contribute to this team and our collective vision for the future."

The Jets' trade for Tebow becomes official Saturday after a contract technicality required him to sign a rewritten deal. He'll be introduced by the team Monday at the Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J.

New York also has Greg McElroy, the team's seventh-round draft pick last year, as the No. 3 quarterback.

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