New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick ended the team’s NFL-record interception drought on Oct. 4, picking off a pass against the Chicago Bears. The Associated Press reported that the interception came in the Jets’ 23–12 loss.

The Jets had gone 20 consecutive games without an interception, a streak that lasted 643 opponent pass attempts, according to AP and the NFL. Fitzpatrick’s play ended a dry spell that stretched back to the 2024 season finale.

The turnover came during a game the Jets could not turn into a win. AP reported Chicago beat New York 23–12, so the historic defensive moment did not change the result.

The drought had become a striking statistic because interceptions are among football’s most visible defensive plays. It does not mean the Jets made no defensive stops during those games; it means they had not caught an opposing pass.

The NFL’s recap noted that other New York interceptions during the game were wiped out by penalties. Fitzpatrick’s pick therefore stood as the one that officially ended the streak.

Fitzpatrick is a veteran safety and a former first-round draft pick. His interception gave the defense a milestone, though a single takeaway does not by itself resolve the team’s broader performance problems.

The Jets still need to improve across the rest of the season, including converting defensive opportunities into points and wins. The Bears game offered both a long-awaited turnover and a reminder that one play cannot make up a double-digit loss.

For a team-focused headline, the record belongs to the Jets’ long drought; the play belongs to Fitzpatrick. The AP and NFL accounts agree on the 20-game mark and the game outcome.

Sources: Associated Press report via KSAT · NFL recap