Bears Beat Jets 23-12 as Bagent Throws for 268 Yards

The Chicago Bears defeated the New York Jets 23-12 on October 4, as quarterback Tyson Bagent passed for 268 yards and running back Kyle Monangai ran for two touchdowns. Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes in his first start since 2023, while Monangai carried 30 times for 146 yards, according to the game account. The Bears’ opening play featured both Bagent and veteran quarterback Case Keenum on the field. Keenum took the snap and handed off to D’Andre Swift for a short gain, then left the game as Bagent remained at quarterback. Coach Ben Johnson said he put Keenum in for the first play because reports had named Bagent as the starter before Johnson announced the decision. He described the moment as a ceremonial first pitch. The accounts do not establish whether the choice was primarily a response to those reports or a football tactic. Bagent led Chicago on a 93-yard opening drive that ended in a turnover on downs after two Swift touchdown runs were overturned on replay review. The Bears scored later in the first quarter on Monangai’s one-yard touchdown run. Chicago’s defense limited New York to 15 total yards and no first downs in the opening quarter, according to the game account.