The Chicago Bears host the New York Jets on Sunday, October 4, 2026, in Week 4 of the NFL season. Kickoff is at noon CT at Soldier Field. The bigger story is at quarterback, because Caleb Williams has been ruled out with a hamstring injury and will miss a second straight game. The Bears do not have a clear-cut replacement named yet.
What Time and Channel Is the Bears Game Today?
Short answer: Noon CT / 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT on FOX.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Matchup | New York Jets at Chicago Bears |
| Date | Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 p.m. CT (1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT, 6 p.m. UK time) |
| Venue | Soldier Field, Chicago |
| TV | FOX (regional) |
| Announcers | Tim Brando, Drew Brees, and Kristina Pink on the sideline |
| Records | Bears 2-1, Jets 1-2 |
| Referee | Carl Cheffers How to Watch Chicago Bears Week 4 Game vs. New York Jets +2 |
FOX is not showing this game everywhere. NFL broadcasts are split by region, and the Bears-Jets game is part of FOX’s early slate alongside Cowboys-Texans and Packers-Buccaneers. If you are outside the Chicago and New York areas, check the 506sports.com map for your market.
How Can I Watch the Bears Game Live?
Short answer: Use FOX on TV, or stream through a service that carries your local FOX station.
- Antenna or cable: Your local FOX station carries the game in participating markets. An over-the-air antenna is the free route.
- Streaming in the US: Goal lists FOX One and Fubo as options. The Bears say NFL+ streaming covers the Chicago area only.
- International viewers: Game Pass International on DAZN covers fans outside the U.S., Canada and China.
- Radio: ESPN 1000 AM carries the Bears broadcast.
- Pregame and postgame: Bears Gameday Live starts at 9:30 a.m. CT on FOX 32 Chicago. Bears Postgame Live airs on Marquee Sports Network.
Who Is Starting at Quarterback for the Bears?
Short answer: Not officially announced. Tyson Bagent looks like the favorite, with Case Keenum as the alternative.
Williams hurt his right hamstring on a fourth-quarter scramble during the 9-3 loss to the Vikings on September 20. Reports describe a Grade 2 strain with a projected three-to-four-week recovery. That timeline suggests he is unlikely to return before Week 5 at the earliest.
Head coach Ben Johnson has declined to name a starter. His comment was that they would find out Sunday. The evidence points two ways:
- For Bagent: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Bagent took the majority of first-team reps this week and is expected to start. Bagent is the established No. 2, and he has cleared concussion protocol after being hurt in relief of Williams against Minnesota.
- For Keenum: The 38-year-old third-stringer went 24 of 34 for 247 yards and two touchdowns, plus a rushing score in the 27-7 win over Philadelphia, his first start since 2023. The Chicago Sun-Times argued he has earned another start.
My read is that Johnson’s offense worked on Monday because the scheme created open receivers. That makes the quarterback choice less lopsided than it looks. Whoever plays, the plan will likely lean on the run game and quick, schemed throws rather than asking a backup to create plays from scratch.
How Did the Bears Get Here?
The Bears are 2-1 and coming off their most convincing win of the season. Rookie safety Dillon Thieneman picked off Andy Dalton in the end zone for his first career interception, and Chicago finished with 128 rushing yards. D’Andre Swift carried 20 times for 84 yards. Kalif Raymond caught six passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Dennis Allen’s defense has six takeaways through three weeks, three of them interceptions. That turnover production has been a quiet driver of the Bears’ season so far.
What Does the Jets Roster Look Like Right Now?
New York is 1-2 but has been competitive. Geno Smith completed 31 of 37 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 31-24 loss to Detroit. Through three games he has a high completion rate, no interceptions, and four touchdowns. That is a big step up from his time in Las Vegas.
The Jets will be shorthanded. Breece Hall (quad), Adonai Mitchell (finger), Mason Taylor (thumb), and Dylan Parham (knee) are out. Losing Hall is a significant blow, since he is a strong receiving back, and Parham’s absence hurts a line that has already struggled.
Bears vs. Jets Key Matchups
Jets passing game vs. Bears secondary
Garrett Wilson has 243 receiving yards, 10th in the league, and rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq has 143. Wilson caught 10 passes for 107 yards against the Lions. The Bears’ defensive backs, including Jaylon Johnson, will need to keep Wilson from controlling the game. Sadiq is the more unusual problem. He is a rookie tight end who made a real impact in Week 3, and the Bears’ linebackers and safeties will be tested in coverage. Devin Bush and the rest of the second level will need to be disciplined in the middle of the field.
David Bailey vs. Darnell Wright
Bailey was a top-five pick in the 2026 draft, and he faces Wright, who is playing the best football of his career. Bailey has two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and three quarterback hits. This is the matchup that most affects whether a backup quarterback gets time to throw.
Bears rushing attack vs. Jets run defense
This is where the game may be decided. The Jets allow just 87.3 rushing yards per game, seventh best in the NFL. One analyst ranks the Jets’ defense No. 2 overall. Swift and Kyle Monangai will probably not run freely, so I would expect Johnson to use motion and quick passes to create easier yards. Philadelphia’s stacked-box approach on Monday left receivers open, and that same weakness could repeat.
Pressure on Geno Smith
Jets left tackle Olu Fashanu has allowed 10 pressures and 4 sacks this season. Smith was sacked five times against Detroit. The Bears’ pass rush can force the Jets into mistakes. A turnover-heavy defense against a quarterback who has not thrown an interception sets up a notable test.
Game Snapshot: Bears vs. Jets
| Category | Bears | Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Last result | W 27-7 vs. Eagles | L 31-24 vs. Lions |
| Quarterback | Bagent or Keenum (Williams out) | Geno Smith |
| Top skill players | Swift, Monangai, Raymond | Wilson, Sadiq |
| Notable absences | Caleb Williams | Hall, Mitchell, Taylor, Parham |
| Strength | Takeaways, run game | Run defense, pass rush |
Who Has the Edge?
Chicago is a 3-point favorite with a total of 43 at BetMGM. Lines can shift before kickoff, so confirm the current number if you follow betting markets. The small spread reflects the quarterback uncertainty on one side and the Jets’ injuries on the other.
My view is that this is a close game. The Bears have the home field, a defense that creates turnovers, and an offense that just proved it can function without Williams. The Jets have the more settled quarterback and the better receiving matchup. If Smith protects the ball and the Bears cannot run, New York can win. If Chicago takes the ball away even once or twice, the home team is in better shape.
Fantasy Football Angle
If you are weighing lineup choices, the sensible Bears options are Raymond and Swift, depending on how the quarterback plan unfolds. On the Jets side, Wilson and Sadiq are the obvious targets given the injuries around them. Confirm the quarterback before kickoff, since it affects every Bears pass-catcher.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Bears game today tickets?
Use the Bears’ official ticket page or the NFL Ticket Exchange for verified listings, which reduces the risk of counterfeit tickets. Prices vary and change quickly close to kickoff, so check current listings directly rather than relying on any quoted figure. Tickets are for Soldier Field, Chicago.
What time and channel is the Bears game today?
The Bears host the Jets on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at noon CT (1 p.m. ET, 10 a.m. PT). The game is on FOX in participating markets, with Tim Brando and Drew Brees on the call.
Where can I find the Bears game today score live?
Live scores are available through the NFL app, the Bears’ official app and website, and major sports sites such as ESPN, Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports. I cannot show a live score in this article because the game has not started as of this writing.
Is the Chicago Bears game today on free TV, and what time is it?
Yes, FOX is a broadcast network, so you can watch for free with an over-the-air antenna if your market gets the game. Kickoff is noon CT. Streaming services that carry your local FOX station generally require a subscription.
What is the Bears game today in Central time?
Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, October 4, 2026. That is 1 p.m. Eastern, 10 a.m. Pacific, and 6 p.m. in the UK.
How can I watch the Bears game today?
Watch on your local FOX station through cable, satellite or antenna. Streaming options include FOX One and Fubo, and NFL+ is available in the Chicago area only. Fans outside the U.S., Canada and China can use Game Pass International on DAZN.
Where can I watch the Bears game live?
The live broadcast is on FOX in participating markets, and radio coverage is on ESPN 1000 AM. For in-person viewing, the game is at Soldier Field in Chicago. Check the 506sports.com map to see whether your area gets the game.
Is the Bears game over?
Not yet, as of Saturday, October 3, 2026. Te game kicks off Sunday at noon CT, and a typical NFL game runs roughly three hours. Check the NFL app or ESPN for the final score.
Author Bio: Hamid Ali is a sports writer covering the NFL, football news, game previews, player updates, and fantasy football. He creates clear, timely guides that help fans understand matchups, injuries, schedules, and key storylines.
Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
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