The Bears used the No. 25 pick to shore up a defensive backfield that needed help, and Dillon Thieneman looks like he may have landed in Chicago at exactly the right time. The Oregon safety was one of the more intriguing names in the class, even in a group that included Caleb Downs and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and the Bears didn’t let him get past them.
Early returns have been strong. ESPN Bears insider Courtney Cronin said Thieneman was one of the biggest winners of spring workouts, and he quickly worked his way into first-team reps during mandatory minicamp while learning Dennis Allen’s defense.
“Thieneman worked his way into first-team reps during mandatory minicamp while spending the spring learning Dennis Allen’s defense,” Cronin wrote. “Thieneman has been a sponge, particularly with his teammates in the secondary, and soaked up as much knowledge as he could from fellow safeties Coby Bryant and Elijah Hicks, the latter of whom will push him for playing time.”
What makes Thieneman such an appealing fit is the same kind of versatility teams are chasing all over the league. He can come downhill and play like an extra linebacker, take on tight ends and running backs, or stay back and attack the ball in coverage. That kind of range gives the Bears options at both safety spots and at big nickel, especially after losing multiple key contributors in the secondary this offseason.
The plan is clear: Dennis Allen can use him as an every-down piece, and defensive back coach Al Harris will have a hand in trying to turn his ball skills into turnovers at the pro level. Thieneman already showed a knack for that in college, grabbing six interceptions as a freshman.
Chicago still has bigger defensive issues to sort through. The line and pass rush were a problem last season, and the Bears haven’t done much to change that heading into the new year. But the secondary was a strength, as the team led the league in takeaways and kept making game-changing plays when it needed them most to give Caleb Williams a shot at a comeback.
There will be the usual rookie bumps along the way, but Thieneman appears to be ahead of schedule. With little real competition for reps and the ability to line up all over the back end, the Bears are set to lean on him immediately.
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