The Chicago Bears and Dillon Thieneman look like a fine match on paper.
Thieneman openly acknowledges that his speed is an asset. Fittingly so, since speed was a primary focus for the Bears this offseason. The evidence was in their signings of players like fellow safety Coby Bryant in free agency.
Thieneman reiterated his draft night mantra that he is ready to do whatever the team asks of him, and Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is expected to use him accordingly.
Bears Land ‘Steal’ in 2026 Draft With Dillon Thieneman
Bears’ Dillon Thieneman Called Draft ‘Steal’
Thieneman drew rave reviews as a “steal” for the Bears with the 25th overall pick from multiple draft evaluators.
Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks, now an analyst for the league, believes in the fit.
“The Bears snag a talented center fielder with great instincts and awareness to pair with free-agent signing Coby Bryant in the defensive backfield,” Brooks wrote on April 23. “The ball-hawking Thieneman brings the ability to make plays in the deep middle, down in the box or in the slot.”
Thieneman is an analytics darling, too, earning a 77 “production score,” an 85 “athleticism score,” and an 80 “overall draft score,” per NFL Next Gen Stats.
“Daniel Jeremiah’s No. 16 overall prospect offers immediate help for a Bears defense that lost four safeties in free agency, including starters Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard. Thieneman started 39 career games over three college seasons (two at Purdue and one at Oregon), bringing proven experience and the versatility to align deep, in the box or over the slot; he’s the kind of all-purpose DB that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can build around,” The Next Gen Stats Analytics Team wrote on April 24.
“At 6-foot and 201 pounds, Thieneman owns one of the strongest athletic profiles at his position in this year’s class. He ran a 4.35 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting a blazing 1.52-second 10-yard split and the second-highest top speed (23.36 mph) among all safeties who competed in this year’s event. His performance in Indy helped earn him the top NGS athleticism score among all safeties in the 2026 class.”
Dillon Thieneman Meets the Media
Thieneman glossed over his distant ties to the Bears, as well as admitted that he does not remember facing new Bears teammate Colston Loveland, but that the second-year tight end was among those who have welcomed him to the group.
Thieneman spoke about his versatility and how his “rover” role at Oregon allowed him to showcase his talents in the run and pass games.
He also said he has met with Allen about how they will use him in the Bears’ defense.
Thieneman is the first, but certainly not the last player that the Bears have added to the mix in the 2026 NFL Draft. If the rest of their class follows suit, the Bears will be receiving high marks on their haul.