Jets collect first interception in nearly two years

New York Jets safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Jets collect first interception in nearly two years

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 4, 2026 2:37 PM ET

It's been nearly two full years since the New York Jets collected an interception on defense. The team went the entire 2025-26 season without collecting one, a stat that felt almost impossible to accomplish.

The streak has been broken, though, as New York came through on Sunday with its first interception in 637 days.

Minkah Fitzpatrick snaps the streak

The calendar for days without an interception will reset for New York after Sunday due to the work of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick stepped in front of a pass from Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent and got both the first interception for the Jets defense this season and his first interception as a member of the team.

It was the first interception for New York since Jan. 5, 2025, the regular-season finale of the 2024-25 season. New York nearly broke its interception drought earlier in the game, but a penalty wiped that off the board.

T'Vondre Sweat almost ended the New York Jets' record interception drought of 637 days... but it was overturned due to a flag on the play pic.twitter.com/Wikuh50Y5S
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 4, 2026

Minkah Fitzpatrick gives the Jets their first INT in 636 pass attempts

NYJvsCHI on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/CQUCl4JVnt
— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2026

Can New York prevent another interception drought?

Certainly, the Jets defense won't have another 630-plus-day stretch without an interception. It can't be ruled completely out, though, so it will be something worth keeping an eye on.

New York does have a game against the New England Patriots coming up soon, and Drake Maye currently leads the NFL in interceptions this season with six.

A confident Jets defense with the interception drought off their minds could be a scary sight for Maye and could give New York a chance to feast on a turnover-prone quarterback.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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