The Bears' quarterback depth, running game and defense have emerged as team strengths early this season—and that was the case again Sunday at Soldier Field.
In an impressive 23-12 victory over the Jets, Tyson Bagent passed for 239 yards in his first start since 2023, Kyle Monangai rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 30 carries and the defense permitted just one TD for the second straight game.
Bagent became the third quarterback to lead the Bears to a win in the first four weeks of the season, following Caleb Williams in Week 1 and Case Keenum in Week 3.
In improving to 3-1, the Bears dominated the stat sheet, holding decisive advantages in total yards (492-157), first downs (34-7) and time of possession (42:45-17:15). In addition, the defense limited the Jets to 0-of-7 on third down.
Monangai's 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal capped a 12-play, 57-yard drive and gave the Bears a 7-0 lead with :23 left in the first quarter. Monangai was hit short of the goal but spun away from the tackler and into the end zone.
It had appeared that the Bears would take a 7-0 lead on the game's opening possession, but two apparent D'Andre Swift touchdown runs were reversed by replay review, on second-and-goal from the 3 and fourth-and-goal from the 1, the second turning the ball over on downs.
In the first quarter, the Bears dominated on both sides of the ball, holding edges in total yards (145-15), first downs (9-0) and time of possession (12:49-2:11) but led only 7-0.
Early in the second quarter, Bagent's pass intended for tight end Colston Loveland over the middle was intercepted by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it 28 yards to the Bears' 34.
The Jets converted their first interception since the 2024 season finale into Jason Sanders' 36-yard field goal, closing the gap to 7-3 with 8:15 left in the period.
The Bears followed with a strong finish to the first half, widening the margin to 13-3 on Cairo Santos 30-yard field goals with 2:29 remaining and as time expired. The first came after Monangai rushed for 41 yards on six carries and the second was set up by Bagent's 37-yard pass to Rome Odunze on a post pattern on third-and-5.
In between, the defense forced a three-and-out that took just :35 off the clock and was capped by Elijah Hicks' third-down blitz that rushed Smith into throwing a pass that was broken up and nearly intercepted by Tyrique Stevenson.
In the first half, the Bears outgained the Jets 274-34.
Early in the second half, Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood forced a Swift fumble that cornerback Brandon Stephens recovered at the Bears' 28.
The Jets reached the 7 but had to settle for Sanders' 30-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 13-6 with 7:00 left in the third quarter.
The Bears responded with a 9-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in Monangai's 5-yard TD run, increasing their lead to 20-6. Santos connected on a 21-yard field goal on their next possession, giving them a 23-6 advantage.
The Jets cut the deficit to 23-12 on Smith's 58-yard TD pass to receiver Isaiah Williams with 9:16 to play in the fourth quarter and then missed the extra point try.
The Bears then responded with an 18-play drive to close out the game. They will look to move to 4-1 next Sunday when they face the Packers in Green Bay.
