Bagent, Monangai lead Bears past Jets 23-12
Tyson Bagent made his first start since 2023 and threw for 268 yards as the Chicago Bears beat the New York Jets 23-12 at Soldier Field on Sunday. Kyle Monangai ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries. Chicago improved to 3-1 and held New York to 157 total yards while Caleb Williams missed another game with a hamstring injury.
Tyson Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards as the Chicago Bears beat the New York Jets 23-12 on Sunday at Soldier Field, the Associated Press reported. Shaw Local called it his first start since 2023.
Bagent started because Caleb Williams missed a second straight game with a right hamstring injury. Case Keenum, who started last Monday's 27-7 win over Philadelphia, took the first snap and pitched to D'Andre Swift for 2 yards while Bagent lined up wide. Bagent then took over at quarterback for the rest of the game.
Kyle Monangai carried the offense, running a career-high 30 times for 146 yards and scoring on runs of 1 and 5 yards. His fourth-down plunge put Chicago ahead 7-0 late in the first quarter. Cairo Santos kicked three field goals, and Rome Odunze caught six passes for 94 yards.
The defense did the rest. Devin Bush, Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo each recorded a sack, and New York finished with seven first downs and 157 total yards. The Bears' team recap said the Jets went 0 for 7 on third down while Chicago controlled the ball for more than 42 minutes.
Bagent's one mistake ended an unusual streak. Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted him in the second quarter, the team's first interception since the 2024 season finale, ending an NFL-record drought of 20 games. Geno Smith's 58-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Williams cut the lead to 23-12 with 9:16 left, but the Jets missed the extra point, and Chicago ran out the clock with an 18-play drive.
Backstory: Bagent's last start came in November 2023. Coach Ben Johnson said Friday his staff was split on the choice after Keenum's strong Monday night, and Bagent had won the backup job in training camp. Since a wild 59-37 opening win at Carolina, Chicago has allowed just 28 points in three games. The Bears are 3-1, while the Jets are 1-3 and have lost three straight.
What's next: The Bears visit the Green Bay Packers next Sunday, and the Jets host the Cleveland Browns.
Where outlets agree The AP and Shaw Local agree Bagent threw for 268 yards while Monangai ran for two touchdowns in a 23-12 Bears win over the Jets.
Where they differ NBC Sports has Bagent at 24-of-33 for 261 yards and says he did not technically start because Keenum took the first snap, while the AP credits 25-of-34 for 268 yards and Shaw Local alone calls it his first start since 2023.