The New York Jets Take Their 1-2 Record To Soldier Field On October 4 To Face A 2-1 Chicago Bears Team, With Geno Smith Leading New York’s Offense And Chicago Preparing To Start Either Tyson Bagent Or Case Keenum In Place Of Caleb Williams.
The New York Jets will travel to Soldier Field on Sunday, October 4, for a Week 4 interconference matchup against the Chicago Bears, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, or noon Central Time, on FOX. The Jets enter the contest with a 1-2 record after consecutive close losses to the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, while the Bears enter at 2-1 after responding to a Week 2 loss to Minnesota with a convincing 27-7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The matchup presents two teams that have shown encouraging stretches through the first three weeks but are dealing with very different circumstances at quarterback. New York has a clear starter in Geno Smith, who has opened the season with one of the strongest statistical starts of any Jets quarterback in recent franchise history. Smith has completed 77 of 102 passes for 783 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions through three games, producing a 75.5 percent completion percentage and a 110 passer rating. The Jets' official preview notes that his 75.5 percent completion rate leads the NFL and that his 110 passer rating is the highest through Week 3 by a Jets quarterback in franchise history. His latest performance was particularly impressive despite the final result. Against Detroit, Smith completed 31 of 37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns while completing 83.8 percent of his attempts without throwing an interception. New York ultimately lost 31-24 after falling behind and mounting a 14-point comeback, but Smith's performance demonstrated the passing efficiency that has become a major part of the Jets' offensive identity. Chicago, meanwhile, enters the game with a major quarterback question because Caleb Williams has officially been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Williams has appeared in two games this season and has completed 36 of 55 passes for 407 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He has also rushed 15 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Chicago head coach Ben Johnson has not announced whether Tyson Bagent or veteran Case Keenum will start, saying the decision will be revealed Sunday. That uncertainty is legitimate and should remain part of the game preview rather than being treated as a confirmed lineup decision. What is certain is that the Bears have confidence in both options, and Chicago's offense will enter the matchup with a quarterback who has already been preparing alongside the team throughout the week.
Geno Smith And Garrett Wilson Lead A Jets Passing Attack
The Jets' clearest offensive strength entering Week 4 is their passing game, and much of that success has come through the connection between Geno Smith and Garrett Wilson. Wilson has 21 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns through the first three games, ranking fifth in the NFL in receptions and 10th in receiving yards according to the Jets' official statistics. His Week 3 performance against Detroit was his most productive outing of the season, with 10 receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown. Rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq also emerged as a major contributor in that game, catching seven passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Jets' official Week 4 preview notes that Wilson and Sadiq became only the third wide receiver-tight end combination in franchise history to each record at least 100 receiving yards and one touchdown in the same game. Their production gives Smith multiple reliable targets, but New York will have to adjust its offensive plan because four offensive starters are officially ruled out. Running back Breece Hall is out with a quad injury after beginning the season with 51 rushing attempts for 163 yards and one touchdown. Hall has also contributed 10 receptions for 102 yards, making his absence significant not only because of his rushing production but also because of his role in the passing game. His individual game totals through three weeks were 102 rushing yards against Tennessee, 29 against Green Bay and 32 against Detroit. The Jets will also be without wide receiver Adonai Mitchell because of a finger injury, tight end Mason Taylor because of a thumb injury and left guard Dylan Parham because of a knee injury. Those absences create additional pressure on the remaining offensive players and offensive line, particularly against a Chicago defense that has improved considerably since its Week 1 performance. New York's offense will therefore need Smith to continue making quick decisions, protecting the football and distributing the ball to Wilson, Sadiq and the rest of the available receiving group. The Jets also have to establish enough of a rushing threat without Hall to prevent Chicago from consistently attacking Smith with pass-focused defensive looks. Braelon Allen and the other available running backs are expected to receive increased opportunities, making the ground game another important storyline. Smith's efficiency gives New York a stable foundation, but the combination of injuries and Chicago's improving defense means the Jets cannot rely exclusively on their quarterback to create every scoring opportunity.
Chicago’s Running Game Remains A Major Offensive Weapon
While the Bears' quarterback situation has understandably received most of the attention, Chicago's running game may be the most important foundation of its offense entering Sunday. Through three weeks, the Bears lead the NFL with an average of 184.3 rushing yards per game and are averaging 5.27 yards per rushing attempt, according to the Jets' official Week 4 game preview. D'Andre Swift has been a major part of that production, entering the game with 54 carries for 253 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Swift also demonstrated his versatility in the passing game during the opening weeks, giving Chicago another way to create offensive production without relying entirely on its quarterback. The Bears also have Kyle Monangai, creating a two-back combination that Jets linebacker Demario Davis specifically identified as a significant challenge. Chicago's rushing success has helped stabilize the offense during a season in which the quarterback position has already experienced changes. The Bears opened the season with Caleb Williams starting, but his hamstring injury forced the team to adjust during Week 2. Tyson Bagent entered that game after Williams was injured, but Bagent subsequently suffered a concussion and was not cleared until shortly before Chicago's Week 3 game against Philadelphia. That gave Case Keenum the opportunity to start against the Eagles, and he responded with an efficient performance in his first NFL start in 1,009 days. Keenum completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and two passing touchdowns while also rushing for a touchdown in Chicago's 27-7 victory. The Bears have not officially announced whether Keenum or Bagent will start against the Jets, so the most accurate assessment is that both remain possibilities. Regardless of who takes the first snap, Chicago's running game should remain central to the offensive approach. That is especially important against a Jets defense that currently ranks No. 2 overall, according to New York's official Week 4 preview. The Bears' offensive line has also earned praise for its ability to work together in the run game, helping create opportunities for Swift and Monangai. Chicago's ability to stay productive on the ground could reduce the burden on its quarterback and force New York's defense to remain disciplined against play-action, motion and multiple personnel groupings. The Jets will therefore have to account for the entire structure of Chicago's offense rather than focusing exclusively on the identity of the starting quarterback.
Defensive Matchups Could Define The Contest
The defensive side of the matchup provides another important layer because both teams have shown significant developments during the first three weeks. The Jets enter Week 4 with the NFL's No. 2-ranked defense by overall yardage, according to the team's official game preview, and they will attempt to use that unit to contain a Chicago offense that is averaging 184.3 rushing yards per game. New York's defensive preparation is complicated by the Bears' quarterback uncertainty, but the Jets have emphasized that they must be prepared for both Bagent and Keenum. The difference in quarterback styles could affect play-calling, but New York's defensive focus will ultimately remain on execution, communication and stopping Chicago's rushing attack. The Jets also received important personnel news involving safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, who had been sidelined since suffering a groin injury in Week 1, progressed to full participation during the week and is scheduled to return against Chicago. His return gives New York additional experience in the secondary and another important piece for a defense preparing for Chicago's motion-heavy offensive approach. The Bears' defense, meanwhile, has made a dramatic improvement following its Week 1 loss to Carolina. Chicago surrendered 37 points and 478 yards to the Panthers in the opener, but then held Minnesota to nine points in Week 2 and Philadelphia to seven points in Week 3. Against the Eagles, Chicago limited Philadelphia to 248 total yards, forced three turnovers and held the Eagles to two conversions on nine third-down attempts. That recent defensive form will be tested by Smith, Wilson and a Jets passing attack that has been consistently efficient. Chicago's defense has also shown an ability to generate pressure and create takeaways, which makes ball security particularly important for New York. The matchup between Wilson and Chicago's secondary will be worth monitoring throughout the afternoon, while the Bears will need to find ways to disrupt Smith without allowing him to repeatedly exploit favorable coverage situations. Chicago has also used a high percentage of single-high safety looks, and the Jets' official preview points to Smith's efficiency against that coverage structure. The Bears therefore have to balance their desire to pressure the quarterback with the need to prevent explosive passes. For New York, the equation is similarly straightforward: contain the run, stay disciplined against motion and personnel changes, and force the Bears' quarterback to sustain long drives.
Injuries And Execution Set The Tone For Week 4
The final injury picture makes this matchup particularly important for both teams because each offense will have to operate without a key player. The Jets' final injury report lists Breece Hall, Adonai Mitchell, Mason Taylor, Dylan Parham and linebacker Kiko Mauigoa as out, while tight end Kenyon Sadiq and edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare were listed as questionable. The Bears have ruled out Caleb Williams and left tackle Braxton Jones, while defensive back Cam Lewis is doubtful. Chicago also has a notable roster development involving Kyler Gordon, who has returned to practice after missing the first three regular-season games with a calf injury, but he is not eligible to play this week because he remains in his 21-day activation window. The Bears will instead use Theo Benedet at left tackle in place of Jones. Running back D'Andre Swift practiced fully Friday and carries no injury designation into Sunday after dealing with knee soreness earlier in the week, meaning he is available to lead the Chicago rushing attack. On the Jets' side, Fitzpatrick's return is a significant positive development for the secondary, but the offense will have to compensate for the loss of Hall and three other offensive starters. The game also comes at an important point in the season for both clubs. New York is trying to avoid falling to 1-3 after two consecutive one-score losses, including a 20-17 overtime defeat against Green Bay and the 31-24 loss to Detroit. Chicago, meanwhile, is attempting to build on the momentum created by its 27-7 victory over Philadelphia and establish consistency after beginning the season 2-1. The most important statistical storyline may ultimately be how the Jets' passing attack handles Chicago's improved defense and how the Bears' rushing attack performs against New York's No. 2 defense. Smith enters the matchup without an interception and with 783 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Wilson has established himself as the Jets' leading receiving threat. Chicago will counter with a rushing attack led by Swift and a quarterback situation that remains officially unresolved. The Bears have confirmed that either Bagent or Keenum will start in place of Williams, but no official announcement has been made as of Friday. That distinction matters because it prevents unnecessary speculation from becoming part of the preview. What is confirmed is the setting, the schedule and the personnel situations: Jets at Bears, Sunday, October 4, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Soldier Field. New York will look to turn strong individual performances into its second win of the season, while Chicago will attempt to continue its defensive improvement and offensive efficiency at home. With both teams carrying legitimate strengths and significant personnel questions into the weekend, Week 4 will provide another important test of how quickly each roster can adjust when its original game plan is disrupted.
