NFL Fact or Fiction: Lamar Jackson, Derek Carr to the Jets, Eric Bieniemy

In today’s Fact or Fiction — NFL edition — I look at three big recent topics in the NFL and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. The Ravens can win a Super Bowl with Lamar Jackson.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

This is the debate for me. Can the Ravens win it all with Jackson? The AFC is absolutely loaded, Jackson hasn’t been successful beyond the regular season, and I don’t see them surpassing the Chiefs, Bengals, or Bills. Why hamstring your entire franchise and give Jackson a contract that can sink them like Russell Wilson sunk the Seahawks and is now sinking the Broncos? If you felt you could win it all with Jackson then it’s a smart business decision to raise the value of your franchise and go all in, but I don’t think the Ravens brass is convinced of that at all. And thus, we have a stalemate.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Travon Walker (44) during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Jaguars edged the Ravens 28-27.

2. Derek Carr should head to the Jets.

Farrell’s take: FACT

It’s unclear if the Jets are waiting on Aaron Rodgers or someone else, but if they want Carr and go all in, he should jump and jump quickly. I don’t think Carr is the solution, so don’t get it twisted, as he’s been up and down with the Raiders with some solid offensive weapons, but the situation in NY is the best he’ll find. Garrett Wilson is a future superstar, the depth at receiver and running back is solid, and this is a very good defense. He could land in the playoffs a few times, and although they will lose early, it could allow him to finish his NFL career with some success after a 63-79 Raiders career.

Las Vegas Raiders Derek Carr (4) points to Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on December 24, 2022.

3. Eric Bieniemy now has something to prove.

Farrell’s take: FACT

We all know Andy Reid was the play caller for the Chiefs in their two Super Bowl seasons, and the entire time Bieniemy was the OC in Kansas City. People wonder why he hasn’t been hired as a head coach yet, and I can tell you I think that’s the reason. Now he’s headed to the Washington Commanders as the assistant head coach and OC, and it will be his time to call the offense. If he succeeds, he will be a head coach in no time. But good luck with a team that lacks QB play and doesn’t have a ton of weapons. If Bieniemy can get it done in Washington, he’s the real deal, as former Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles says. If not, former Chiefs RB and current NFL analyst LeSean McCoy could be right.