The Chicago Bears were hoping to get some help on defense and get young; they certainly were able to do that through the 2026 NFL Draft.
After missing out on the top offensive tackles in the draft, the Bears held strong with their 25th overall pick and selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. FanSided NFL Draft expert Mike Luciano shared what the Bears are getting with Thieneman.
"Thieneman is a true chameleon in the Oregon secondary, as the Purdue transfer linked up at nickel, linebacker, and deep safety. He will be a turnover generator in the pros, and his exceptional range paired with some bone-jarring tackles make him someone who will eventually be a respected leader on defense. His tackling can be a bit hit-or-miss at times, and he does have some reps where he was burned in man coverage."
Bears get a stellar veratile weapon in Dillon Thieneman at pick 25
FanSided's Big Board had Thieneman ranked as the 18th-best prospect in the draft. Last season with the Ducks, he had 92 tackles, five pass deflections, two interceptions, and one sack. He was a first-team All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection as well.
The Bears needed another safety to work with free agent signing Coby Bryant after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. Thieneman comes in as a Day 1 starter, could be seen as an upgrade over what they had last year, and gives the position stability for the next three years.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can use Thieneman in different ways in the defense. Not only can he be a playmaker in pass coverage, but he can also line up in the box to stop the run.
Read more: Dillon Thieneman pick gives Bears the finishing touches on an elite secondary
Chicago got an instinctive, solid defender at the start of the NFL Draft. More is needed, but general manager Ryan Poles made a statement with his selection of Thieneman.