Harbaugh, to the cost-conscious 49ers or the Broncos, still paying two former coaches Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels, represented exciting and relatively cost effective star power.

FORBES: The Pursuit Of Jim Harbaugh

Two other factors to consider: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels drafted Tebow out of Florida while he was the coach in Denver, and being able to tweak the Jets always makes Belichick grin a little under his hoodie.

WSJ: Done with Jets, 6 job possibilities for Tim Tebow