The Bears' quarterback depth, running game and defense have emerged as team strengths early this season—and that was the case again Sunday at Soldier Field.

In an impressive 23-12 victory over the Jets, Tyson Bagent passed for 268 yards in his first start since 2023, Kyle Monangai rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 30 carries and the defense permitted just one TD for the second straight game.

In improving to 3-1, the Bears dominated the stat sheet, holding decisive advantages in total yards (492-157), first downs (34-7) and time of possession (42:45-17:15). It was their second straight win following last Monday night's 27-7 rout of the Eagles.

"We had to find a way to get to 3-1 in the first quarter and they certainly did that," said coach Ben Johnson. "You come off a high like that on Monday Night Football and it's easy to drop off, especially against an opponent that you don't see a whole lot or know a whole lot about, and yet these guys, they ended the week the right way. They knew that this was a dangerous Jets team and we would have to be on our Ps and Qs for 60 minutes to find a way to win this one. It's great to come out with a 'W.'"

Bagent became the third quarterback to lead the Bears to a win in the first four weeks of the season, following Caleb Williams in Week 1 and Case Keenum in Week 3.

"[Bagent] did a great job," Johnson said. "He was poised. He was under control. They were bringing a lot of pressure like we knew that they could do, and yet he was able to stay in that pocket and deliver some good balls today."

The Bears defense delivered a third straight stellar outing. The unit has yielded only two touchdowns in its last three games while permitting 9, 7 and 12 points.

"The defensive performance was outstanding," Johnson said. "Anytime you hold a team to 150-160 yards and 0 for 7 on third down, you're doing a lot right. [Defensive coordinator] 'DA' (Dennis Allen) had a great plan. I thought those guys all stood out. It was another one of those days where it's hard to really single out any particular guy. I just thought everybody across the board played really good football on that side."

The Bears took a 7-0 lead on Monangai's 1-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal with :23 left in the first quarter. The second-year pro was hit short of the goal but spun away from the tackler and into the end zone.

It appeared that the Bears had scored on the game's opening possession, but two apparent D'Andre Swift TD runs were reversed by replay review, on second-and-goal from the 3 and fourth-and-goal from the 1, the second one turning the ball over on downs.

In the first quarter, the Bears dominated on both sides of the ball, holding edges in total yards (145-15), first downs (9-0) and time of possession (12:49-2:11), but led only 7-0.

Early in the second quarter, Bagent's pass intended for tight end Colston Loveland over the middle was intercepted by safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it 28 yards to the Bears' 34.

The Jets converted their first interception since the 2024 season finale into Jason Sanders' 36-yard field goal, closing the gap to 7-3 with 8:15 left in second quarter.

The Bears followed with a strong finish to the first half, widening the margin to 13-3 on Cairo Santos 30-yard field goals with 2:29 remaining and as time expired. The first came after Monangai rushed for 41 yards on six carries, and the second was set up by Bagent's 37-yard pass to Rome Odunze on a post pattern on third-and-5.

"The key to executing that was the big boys doing a good job blocking up front," Bagent said, "Rome doing a good job of running a good route of creating separation and just being able to get him a runner's ball so that we could maximize the yards after catch. I thought all three phases did an outstanding job of that which is why we were able to come out with points before the half."

In between Santos' two field goals, the defense forced a three-and-out that took just :35 and was capped by Elijah Hicks' third-down blitz that rushed Smith into throwing a pass that was broken up and nearly intercepted by Tyrique Stevenson.

In the first half, the Bears outgained the Jets 274-34.

Early in the second half, Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood forced a Swift fumble that cornerback Brandon Stephens recovered at the Bears' 28.

The Jets reached the 7 but had to settle for Sanders' 30-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 13-6 with 7:00 left in the third quarter.

The Bears responded with a 9-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in Monangai's 5-yard TD run, increasing their lead to 20-6.

Santos then connected on a 21-yard field goal on their next possession, giving them a 23-6 advantage.

The Jets cut the deficit to 23-12 on Geno Smith's 58-yard TD pass to receiver Isaiah Williams with 9:16 to play in the fourth quarter and then missed the extra point try.

The Bears did not let the Jets touch the ball again, closing the game with an 18-play, 76-yard drive that burned the final 9:07 off the clock. The possession featured 11 runs by Monangai (8 for 29 yards) and Roschon Johnson (3-12), Bagent's 18-yard pass to Loveland on third-and-5 and three defensive penalties that turned two third downs and one fourth down into first downs.

"Ton of pride," Johnson said about the final drive. "I think that's two weeks in a row we were able to find a way to finish with it. Our guys understand how important that is for us. We want that to be what we're about, so it's a good thing."

"That was kind of more of the same just throughout the whole day, being able to hold onto the ball and continue to get first downs and keep their offense off the field," Bagent added. "It was pretty amazing. There was a big third-down connection to Loveland that was super clean. We were able to continue to manhandle the line of scrimmage. Even on our worst runs, we were getting 3-4 yards a pop, so I thought the big boys did an outstanding job with that."