Fitzpatrick picks off Bagent as the Jets’ record interception drought ends in a 23-12 loss to

For the first time in 1,004 days, the New York Jets have an interception. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent in the second quarter on Sunday, ending the longest such drought the NFL has ever seen.

Over that span, opponents threw 643 passes against the Jets across 83 regulation quarters and more than 20 games without a single one being intercepted. Fitzpatrick’s pick came with a little under 12 minutes to go before halftime. It was not enough for a win: Chicago beat New York 23-12, and the Jets dropped to 1-3.

How the Jets interception drought ended

Trailing 7-0, the Jets got the break when Fitzpatrick cut off a throw meant for Bears tight end Colston Loveland at the Jets’ 39. He returned it 27 yards until he was forced out at the Chicago 34, then kept going downfield to celebrate with his fellow defenders in the end zone. New York’s offense could only manage a field goal on the drive, and Chicago led 13-3 at the break.

Fitzpatrick almost didn’t get the honor. Late in the first quarter, defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat seemed to have intercepted Bagent. Officials then flagged cornerback Azareye’h Thomas for putting his hands to an opponent’s face, and the takeaway came off the board.

A record streak that began after the 2024 finale

New York’s last interception before Sunday came in its final 2024 regular-season game, a win in which Ashtyn Davis intercepted Tyler Huntley of the Miami Dolphins two times before halftime. The Jets then played all of the 2025 regular season without one, something no NFL team had done since record-keeping on the stat started in 1933. Along the way they broke the old record, held by the 2024 San Francisco 49ers, when they reached 15 consecutive games without a pick.

The interception was also the first of Aaron Glenn’s time as head coach. As a player, Glenn made the Pro Bowl at cornerback and finished with 41 interceptions, which ties him for 73rd in league history. He took over defensive play-calling after coordinator Steve Wilks was fired, but the skid carried through the first three games of 2026.

Asked before last month’s opener at Tennessee whether a pick would bring relief, Glenn laughed and said it would be “a relief to hear you guys stop talking about it.” He said the team focuses on attacking the ball and creating takeaways.