The Chicago Bears are navigating some tricky waters at the safety position with both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker approaching free agency. General Manager Ryan Poles has been clear about his intentions to re-sign Byard, but that leaves a gap to fill with Brisker's potential departure. Enter the 2026 NFL Draft, where Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman has caught the eye of Bears fans everywhere as a prime candidate for the 25th overall pick.
Thieneman's recent performance at the NFL Combine might have thrown a wrench in those plans. His blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash and impressive 41-inch vertical jump have likely boosted his draft stock, potentially putting him out of reach for Chicago.
His speed and athleticism are rare commodities, making it likely he’ll be snapped up by a team picking in the top 20. However, the unpredictable nature of the draft-like a run on quarterbacks-could still see him fall to the Bears.
If Thieneman is off the board, the Bears have their eyes on another promising prospect: Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. With 77 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five pass deflections, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, a touchdown, and half a sack last season, McNeil-Warren has shown he can be a dynamic playmaker. His 4.52-second 40-yard dash and top 10 broad jump performance further highlight his potential.
Chicago might also explore other avenues, such as bolstering their defensive line with a tackle or edge rusher, or even dipping into free agency to snag someone like Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook.
The Bears have some solid options on the table, but if Dillon Thieneman is somehow still available at 25, it would be hard for them to pass up the opportunity to draft such a standout talent.