Kyle Monangai scores 2 TDs as the
Chicago Bears beat the New York Jets 23-12
[October 05, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears kept handing the ball to Kyle
Monangai and the New York Jets had precious little time to respond.
It was that kind of day.
Monangai rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, and Chicago
stuffed New York for a 23-12 victory on Sunday.
“Shout out to the offensive line, the running backs, the whole
offensive crew as well as the defense as well for having a great
day,” wide receiver Rome Odunze said.
Devin Bush, Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo each had a sack as
Chicago limited New York to seven first downs and 157 yards overall.
The Bears have allowed a total of 28 points in three games since
their wild 59-37 victory at Carolina in their season opener.
“I thought those guys all stood out,” Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
“It was another one of those days where it’s hard to single out any
particular guy. I just thought everyone played really good football
on that side.”
Chicago (3-1) had 34 first downs and ran 89 plays while possessing
the ball for almost 43 minutes. The Bears also did not punt in a
game for the first time since 2014.
New York (1-3) went 0 for 7 on third down and ran a total of 32
plays.
“We’ve got to execute and do whatever we can to keep our defense off
the field,” Jets quarterback Geno Smith said. "That’s a part of
playing complementary football. I think we can do a lot better job
in that area.”
It was the first time an NFL team had more first downs than its
opponent had offensive plays since Pittsburgh's 43-0 victory over
Cleveland on Sept. 12, 1999. It also was the first time since 1997
that the Bears held their opponent without a third-down conversion.
“We have to do a better job of complementing each other and that did
not show up today at all,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “When you
have the discrepancy of 89 plays and 32 plays, it’s something we
have to look at and something we have to continue to work on. That’s
the only thing we can do is continue to work.”
Tyson Bagent passed for a career-high 268 yards for Chicago and
Cairo Santos kicked three field goals. Odunze had six receptions for
94 yards.
Minkah Fitzpatrick stopped New York's NFL-record interception
drought at 20 games, but the Jets dropped their third consecutive
game since their season-opening win at Tennessee.
Smith found Isaiah Williams for a 58-yard touchdown pass in the
fourth quarter, trimming New York's deficit to 23-12 with 9:16 left.
It was Williams' first TD in his 27th career game.
But Jason Sanders missed the ensuing extra point and Chicago ran out
the clock with an 18-play, 77-yard drive.
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Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (25) celebrates after
scoring as teammate Jahdae Walker (9) watches during the first half
of an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Oct. 4,
2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
“Toward the end of the game, if they don’t want to
be out there anymore, you just keep running at them,” Monangai said,
“running at them, 4-yard gain, 4-yard gain, 20-yarder come out of
nowhere, big play in the passing game, and then 4-yard gain, 4-yard
gain, it gets tiring. So you definitely feel it.”
Monangai finished with 30 carries. He was dealing with a thumb
injury at the end of the game and he said he will know more about it
Monday.
Bagent was 25 for 34 while subbing for Caleb Williams, who missed
his second straight game because of a right hamstring injury. Case
Keenum started Monday night's 27-7 win over Philadelphia, passing
for 247 yards and two touchdowns.
Keenum was behind center for Chicago's first play against New York
and Bagent was split out wide. Keenum pitched the ball to D’Andre
Swift for a 2-yard gain before Bagent took over at QB.
“I got all these memos saying that Tyson was starting before I ever
made an announcement so I wanted to get Case out there the first
time,” Johnson said. “It was like a ceremonial first pitch out
there, handing off the torch.”
Chicago turned the ball over on downs at the New York 1 on its first
drive. But Monangai's 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal gave the Bears a
7-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Bears opened a 20-6 lead on Monangai's 5-yard touchdown with
2:26 left in the third.
“No flinch from him,” Bagent said. “He’s been outstanding ever since
he got here. Does the right thing.”
Fitzpatrick stepped in front of Colston Loveland and picked off a
pass by Bagent in the second quarter for New York's first
interception since Ashtyn Davis had two against Miami in the 2024
season finale. But the Jets had three more interceptions taken off
the board because of penalties.
Injuries
Jets: Edge rusher Braiden McGregor departed with a chest injury. ...
Cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. departed with a concussion.
Up next
Jets: Host Cleveland next Sunday.
Bears: At Green Bay next Sunday.
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