The 2025 NFL season is down to one final showdown, and while the Patriots and Seahawks get ready to square off in Super Bowl LX, the rest of the league is already deep into offseason mode. That means front offices are turning their attention to the NFL Draft - and for the Chicago Bears, a surprising name has entered the conversation.
In the first mock draft of the season from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the Bears are projected to select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick. And yes, that pick might raise a few eyebrows.
Let’s break it down.
A Versatile Safety in a Room Full of Question Marks
The Bears’ safety room is about to look very different. Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, C.J.
Gardner-Johnson, and Jonathan Owens are all headed toward free agency. That’s a lot of snaps and leadership potentially walking out the door.
While there’s mutual interest between the Bears and Byard to work out a new deal, nothing’s guaranteed. That leaves general manager Ryan Poles with some tough decisions - and a clear need to reinforce the secondary.
Enter Thieneman.
The Oregon junior brings versatility that NFL teams covet. He’s not just a deep safety - he’s a movable chess piece.
According to Pro Football Focus, Thieneman lined up all over the Ducks’ defense in 2025: 118 snaps in the slot, 434 in the box, and 247 as a deep safety. That kind of flexibility is gold in today’s NFL, where safeties are asked to cover tight ends, support the run, and disguise coverages pre-snap.
Over 15 games, Thieneman logged 812 defensive snaps and put together a well-rounded stat line: 72 total tackles, five forced incompletions, two interceptions, and just 18 receptions allowed on 29 targets. That’s a strong resume, especially when you factor in his ability to handle multiple responsibilities within a defense.
Is Safety the Right Move at 25?
Drafting a safety in the first round always sparks debate, especially for a team like the Bears that has pressing needs in the trenches. Both the offensive and defensive lines could use reinforcements, and some might argue that investing a first-round pick in the secondary is a luxury the Bears can’t afford right now.
But context matters.
If Byard and Brisker aren’t back - and that’s looking more likely by the day - the Bears will need a starter who can step in right away. Thieneman isn’t just a plug-and-play guy; he’s someone defensive coordinator Dennis Allen could deploy in creative ways. Whether it’s covering slot receivers, crashing down in run support, or playing centerfield, Thieneman has the toolkit to fit into multiple packages.
The Bigger Picture
This pick would signal something important about the Bears’ evolving identity. Under Poles and Allen, there’s a clear emphasis on versatility and football IQ.
Thieneman checks both boxes. He’s been productive throughout his college career and has shown he can handle a heavy workload without sacrificing consistency.
Still, the decision at No. 25 will come down to how the board falls - and what happens with the Bears’ current safeties in free agency. If Byard returns, maybe the urgency to draft a safety drops. But if the Bears lose multiple veterans in that room, Thieneman becomes more than just a luxury pick - he becomes a necessity.
For now, the mock draft is just one version of how things could play out. But if the Bears do go safety in the first round, don’t be surprised if it’s Thieneman’s name called on draft night. He’s got the production, the versatility, and the upside to be a foundational piece in Chicago’s secondary rebuild.