After 637 agonizing days, the New York Jets finally recorded an interception on Sunday, snapping an NFL-record 20-game interceptionless streak. This monumental moment in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears ended a dry spell that felt like it would never quit for the Jets’ defense.
The Streak No One Wanted
Let’s talk about how brutal this actually got. The New York Jets did something truly historic in 2025, their first season with head coach Aaron Glenn at the helm: they became the first team in NFL history to finish an entire season with zero, as in Z-E-R-O, interceptions. That’s a tough stat to stomach. That NFL-record futility then rolled right into the 2026 season, stretching through the first three weeks for a grand total of 20 games without a single pick. Imagine watching that week after week.
The Play That Broke the Curse
So, who finally got it done? Five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Bears were on the move, facing a second-and-12 at the Jets’ 35-yard line. Chicago fill-in quarterback Tyson Bagent tried a play-action pass over the middle for tight end Colston Loveland. But Bagent’s throw had a slight wobble to it, and Fitzpatrick, being the ball hawk he is, darted right in front of Loveland and snagged the football. It was a clutch moment.
The last time a Jets defender celebrated an interception? You’d have to go all the way back to Week 18 of the 2024 season, when they picked off then-Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley. That was January 5, 2025, a game where the Jets actually had two picks.
What’s Next for the Jets?
That big takeaway wasn’t just for show either; the Jets turned it into three points with a 36-yard field goal from kicker Jason Sanders. Maybe, just maybe, Fitzpatrick’s game-changing pick can be the spark this defense needs. This team could really use that jolt, aiming for a more aggressive style of play that gets them more takeaways moving forward. Here’s hoping it’s not another 637 days, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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