Minkah Fitzpatrick records INT, snapping Jets' record drought

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCHICAGO -- The New York Jets snapped one of the most ignominious droughts in NFL history Sunday, intercepting a pass for the first time in 21 games.The streak-buster occurred in the second quarter, with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick picking off Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent at Soldier Field. The Jets converted the takeaway into a field goal, cutting the Bears' lead to 7-3.The Jets went (643) pass attempts and 638 days without a pick.Before Sunday, their last interception came on Jan. 5, 2025, the final game of the 2024 regular season, when safety Ashtyn Davis -- no longer on the team -- picked off Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley.The NFL started tracking interceptions in 1933, and the 2025 Jets became the first team in history to go an entire season without one.All told, 20 quarterbacks played against them without having one of their passes fall into enemy hands.The slump started with the Pittsburgh Steelers' Aaron Rodgers in the '25 opener -- perhaps fitting, considering he was a member of the Jets in 2023 and 2024.Along the way, the Jets faced a rookie (New Orleans Saints' Tyler Shough) and a backup who started (the Buffalo Bills' Mitchell Trubisky) -- and still couldn't steal the ball.The slump appeared to be over Sunday in the first quarter, when 360-pound nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat grabbed a pass that was deflected at the line. But the big-man interception was nullified because of a penalty on cornerback Azareye'h Thomas.The drought frustrated players and confounded coaches. Understandably, they got tired of answering questions about it from the media.Ironically, they're coached by a former Pro Bowl cornerback -- Aaron Glenn -- who recorded 41 interceptions over 15 seasons as a player.On Friday, former Jets coach Herm Edwards, who made 33 interceptions over an 11-year career as a cornerback, expressed disbelief when discussing the drought."It's remarkable. It's almost unbelievable," Edwards said. "I know those guys can catch, and I know Aaron is a former DB -- and Aaron had a lot of interceptions, too. I know he's drilling those guys. It's a stat I can't comprehend. I don't know how that can happen. You don't get a tipped ball or something?"Sometimes a defensive lineman can catch a tipped ball, but they can't intercept the ball. It's unbelievable to me. That's the craziest stat I've ever heard."