Full Breakdown
Jets End Historic Interception Drought with Fitzpatrick Pick vs. Bears
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
At Soldier Field, New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent in the second quarter. The play came on the Jets’ own 39-yard line, was returned 27 yards, and set up a field-goal that trimmed Chicago’s lead to 7-3. The Bears ultimately won 23-12, but the interception ended the Jets’ NFL-record streak of games without a defensive pick.
Background & Context
The Jets entered the 2026 season having gone an entire 2025 campaign without a single interception, a first since the league began tracking the statistic in 1933. The drought stretched over 20 consecutive games, encompassing 637 days (according to several outlets) and more than 630 pass attempts. The last Jets interception before the streak was recorded by former Jet Ashtyn Davis earlier in the 2025 season in the final game of the 2024 regular season against the Miami Dolphins.
The lack of takeaways was a persistent storyline throughout the Jets’ early-season losses to the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, acquired in a trade with Miami and sidelined by a groin injury after the season opener, returned to the lineup for the Bears game, providing the veteran playmaking presence the secondary had missed.
Timeline
- Ashtyn Davis records the Jets’ last interception before the drought.
- Minkah Fitzpatrick picks off Tyson Bagent, ending the 20-game streak.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Games without an interception | 20 (NFL-record) |
| Days elapsed since last pick | 637 days (some sources say 638) |
| Pass attempts without a pick | 632 – 643 (varying counts) |
| Number of opposing quarterbacks faced | 20 |
| Final score | Bears 23, Jets 12 |
| Jets’ point differential before the game | +3 |
Official Statements & Responses
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn welcomed the play, noting the long-standing jokes about the streak. The comment reflects the coaching staff’s desire to shift focus from the statistical anomaly to overall defensive performance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact magnitude of the drought:
- Some outlets cite 637 days and 643 pass attempts without a pick.
- Others report 638 days and 632 pass attempts.
- A few mention 20-plus games without specifying the precise count.
These discrepancies illustrate the difficulty of tracking a statistic that spans multiple seasons and includes preseason and regular-season variations. No source provides a definitive, league-verified total, leaving the exact numbers open to clarification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is such a thing as playing the hot hand,” — Ben Johnson, Bears coach
- “It would be very nice, very sweet,” — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jets safety
- “I think it would be a relief to hear you guys stop talking about it, first and foremost,” — Aaron Glenn, Jets head coach
- “It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the game,” — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jets safety
What’s Next
Following the interception-ending victory, the Jets return home for a Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The defensive unit hopes to build on the momentum generated by Fitzpatrick’s play and convert the newfound takeaways into more sustained success.