The buzz around Dillon Thieneman is getting louder, and the reasons are easy to see.
When the Chicago Bears took the safety with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, it already looked like a strong move. Thieneman spent his first week mostly in a backup role on defense, but once he moved into the starting lineup, he took off. That quick rise is a big part of why Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox urged people to buy into the hype.
"Thieneman will, of course, have to solidify a starting role in the coming weeks. However, he has all the traits and intangibles needed to be a legitimate difference-maker out of the gate."
Knox also pointed to the Bears’ offseason turnover at safety as a major opening for Thieneman.
"Seeing as how Chicago parted with 2025 starting safeties Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, Theineman should indeed have the inside track to starting alongside Bryant. And Bryant, a former Seahawks starter and Super Bowl champion, should help Theineman provide the sort of edge that the Bears' secondary has been missing."
Thieneman’s college resume helps explain the excitement. At Purdue and Oregon, he piled up 14 pass breakups, 10 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus also gave him a 90.5 coverage grade.
That kind of production gives Chicago a player who can do a little of everything for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Thieneman should be useful in coverage against slot corners and tight ends, and he could also spend time in the box helping against the run and as a pass rusher.
He is joining a Bears secondary that is in the middle of a major makeover. Chicago brought in free agent Coby Bryant to help replace Byard and Brisker, and the two safeties bring different strengths. Bryant is the steadier coverage player, while Thieneman brings the bigger ceiling.
The biggest job for both will be helping replace the turnovers the Bears lost. More than 50% of the turnovers created last year came from players who are no longer on the roster, so Thieneman and Bryant will be asked to carry a lot of that load.
With training camp coming up, the anticipation around Thieneman is only building. If he looks anything like he did in college, Chicago may have landed a dangerous piece for its defense.
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