Jets streak-busting interception — finally — was rare highlight in otherwise dreadful loss
· New York PostCHICAGO — The Jets finally ended their ignominious streak without an interception on Sunday when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent in the second quarter of Chicago’s 23-12 win at Soldier Field.
The Fitzpatrick pick came after the Jets had gone 20 consecutive games without an INT, spanning 535 passing attempts. The last player to make an INT was Ashtyn Davis, who hasn’t been on the team since 2024.
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Davis had two INTs in the 2024 season finale, which happened to be his last game with the team.
“Honestly, I’m not really worried about that,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said of ending the pick-less streak. “We got an interception. Great. But we lost the game. That’s what I’m thinking about — how we get better.”
Fitzpatrick, who returned after missing the previous two games with a groin injury, said the feat was bittersweet because of the end result.
“Obviously, you wanted to be able to celebrate when you break a negative streak like that, but when you finish the game that we finished, there’s no real reason to celebrate,” he said.
The Jets actually appeared to have three other INTs in the game, but those three were nullified by Jets penalties.
Defensive tackle D’Vondre Sweat picked Bagent off in the first quarter, but that was canceled by an Azareye’h Thomas penalty for illegal hands to the face.
Later, a pick by cornerback Brandon Stephens was called back when linebacker Demario Davis was called for an offside penalty.
“A bad mental error on my part that can’t happen,’’ Davis said.
And then, in the fourth quarter, Jets rookie cornerback D’Angelo Ponds picked off a pass, but that turnover was overturned by his own defensive holding penalty.
“I’m really more upset about the penalties in those moments when we created opportunities to get our offense the ball back,” Glenn said. “Everything else is really just white noise to me. We have to get better.’’
Garrett Wilson, who had a big game last week in Detroit, was curiously targeted only four times in the game, catching three passes for a quiet 27 yards.
Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq, who like Wilson had more than 100 yards receiving against the Lions, was also targeted four times against the Bears and didn’t have a single reception.
“Yeah, it is frustrating, but you control what you can control,” Wilson said. “I take a lot of pride in making a play when the ball does come my way. Being a receiver, being one of the guys this organization believes in — I’ve got a long-term contract with them — when the ball comes my way, I’ve got to make the play. I want more on my plate, for sure.’’
Wilson did throw out a zinger when he said, “I’m good; I didn’t get hit,’’ referring to his lack of action.
When Glenn was asked why Wilson and Sadiq got so few targets, he said, “Good question. We have to go back and look at the tape to see why. But we have to find a way to get [Wilson] the ball. He’s one of the engines that gets us going, both those guys.”
The Jets lost edge rusher Braiden McGregor to a chest injury in the third quarter. CB Jarvis Brownlee was knocked out of the game with a concussion in the third quarter. Neither player returned.
Jets LB Jamien Sherwood forced a fumble by Bears RB D’Andre Swift that was recovered by Stephens. Davis had the Jets only sack of the game.
Bears RB Kyle Monangai, the former Rutgers star, gashed the Jets for 146 rushing yards and two TDs on 30 carries.
Chicago is not the Jets’ kind of town. They haven’t won a game in the Windy City since 1997, which was Bill Parcells’ first year as their coach. Since then, they’re 0-4 at Soldier Field.
Inactive Jets included RB Breece Hall (quad), WR AD Mitchell (finger), edge Kingsley Enagbare, CB Nahshon Wright, LB Kiko Mauigoa, LG Dylan Parham (knee) and TE Mason Taylor (thumb).