UPDATED 5:07 p.m.

The Jets begin their offseason program next week, which also marks the beginning of assimilating Tim Tebow into the offense and the locker room.

There are many questions about how Tebow's addition will affect the Jets, but if the outcome is positive, owner Woody Johnson said with a laugh that he's ready to take credit.

“If it’s a good decision, if he turns out to be a great player, I will take full accountability for that,” Johnson said in an interview with Fox Business Network’s "After the Bell," which will air at 4 p.m. today.

Johnson's answer was in reply to a question about whether trading for Tebow, the former Broncos quarterback, was mostly his decision. He added that he powwowed with coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, and that such decisions are up to them.

Because of Tebow's immense popularity, the potential impact of his addition on Jets jersey and ticket sales has been speculated to be a factor in the trade. Johnson has said that is not the case, and maintained today he hasn't seen much of an effect on business so far.

“Not really," he said. "Jerseys aren’t really our main line of business. Our main line of business is winning games. I expect if we do well, we will continue to sell. We’re pretty well sold out on (personal seat licenses) despite what you read about.”

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Tebow has been announced as the back-up to starter Mark Sanchez, and he will also run a package of direct-snap plays to take advantage of his unique skill set. Johnson praised Tebow, who speaks freely about his strong Christian faith, for his influence off the field as well. The active Republican supporter likened Tebow to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

"I am very excited to see what impact he’s going to have," Johnson said. "I think he’s a lot like Governor Christie. He is what he is. He’s true to his beliefs; he’s not afraid to tell you what he believes in. I think he will be a very positive influence in the locker room, and I think he will help us win a lot of games.”

Will Tebow's teammates be similarly sold on him?

“We’ll find out," Johnson said. "The team will get together for the first time on Monday, so we’ll see how that works out. From what I hear from the people who played with him in Florida and the Broncos, he is going be well-liked.”

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Free agent punter Jy Bond will visit the Jets this week, according to his agent's Twitter page.

The former Australian Rules Football player has been trying to break into the NFL for the past few years. He signed with the Dolphins in 2009, and the Giants in 2010, both times cut before the season.

Bond most recently played for the UFL's Hartford Colonials. The Jets' incumbent punter is T.J. Conley, whom special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff has said was inconsistent last season.

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Hayden Smith, the former Australian rugby player, officially signed a three-year deal with the Jets on Saturday with base salaries of $390,000 (2012), $480,000 (2013) and $570,000 (2014). When he arrives for the offseason program next week, $112,000 of his deal will be guaranteed: $10,000 signing bonus, $98,000 guaranteed of 2012 base and $4,000 reporting bonus.

Smith will play tight end for the Jets.