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          Could Jets trade Geno Smith to quarterback-needy Vikings?

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          Stephen A would consider Geno Smith to Vikings (1:50)

          Stephen A. believes Geno Smith and Matt Cassel can potentially help alleviate the Vikings' quarterback depth issues because Smith needs a change of scenery and Cassel has familiarity with an offensive scheme similar to Minnesota's. (1:50)

          • Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterAug 31, 2016, 01:30 PM ET
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              Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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          The quarterback landscape changed dramatically Tuesday, with Teddy Bridgewater's freakish and devastating knee injury. The Minnesota Vikings, left with 36-year-old Shaun Hill as their starter, almost certainly will try to trade for a veteran.

          Maybe you've heard: The New York Jets have a surplus of quarterbacks. They're willing to keep four on the 53-man roster -- or so they say -- but grizzled personnel types around the league aren't buying that. They believe the Jets will jettison one of the players, which raises the question:

          Could they trade Geno Smith to the Vikings?

          Ostensibly, Smith is the Jets' No. 2 quarterback, but I believe they'd be willing to listen if the Vikings -- or any team, for that matter -- show interest. Even though he's their only backup with regular-season experience, Smith is viewed by some in the organization as a player who has maxed out his potential, whereas Bryce Petty is seen as a quarterback whose arrow is pointing up. Smith hasn't played particularly well in limited reps (47 snaps in three games), which has disappointed some because they felt he'd be better in Year 2 in Chan Gailey's system.

          The Jets also can't ignore Smith's contract situation. He will be a free agent after the season, and there's virtually no chance he will return. They will lose him with no compensation. If they trade him now, they can recoup a late-round pick.

          Smith has "low-level trade value for a few select teams," said an AFC personnel director, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "He's not a commodity. I don't see a guy I'd chase to trade for. You're trading for a backup and he's entering the last year of his deal, so you're getting him for four months. Some teams might just wait for them to cut him loose because they won't carry four quarterbacks."

          Do the Vikings want Smith? They have some options, as ESPN colleague John Clayton outlines. No one on the Vikings' offensive coaching staff has a direct connection to Smith, so he'd be coming in cold, having to learn a new system. That takes time.

          The Jets have several factors to consider before finalizing their depth chart. Let's assume Petty and Christian Hackenberg emerge healthy from the final preseason game. (If one gets hurt, it changes everything.) They have to weigh Petty's development and upside against Smith's experience. Basically, the question they must ask themselves is this: Can we function with Petty if something happens to Ryan Fitzpatrick?

          Another question: Could they sneak Petty through waivers and put him on the practice squad? It would be risky.

          As coach Todd Bowles noted Tuesday, the decision on whether to keep four quarterbacks will be based, in part, on other positions. It'll be a tough decision for the Jets -- a fascinating decision, especially if they get a call from the Vikings.