Dillon Thieneman, especially after an outstanding 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, didn’t expect to fall out of the top 20 picks. Many insiders had him going closer to the top 10, right behind Caleb Downs, for high-impact safeties. Instead, he fell to the Chicago Bears’ pick at 25, and they eagerly ran to get their draft card in. He is an ideal fit for the high-rising Bears.
General Manager Ryan Poles, head coach Ben Johnson, and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen have had a clear offseason mission: upgrade the defense’s speed. Offenses, throughout last season, attacked the Bears’ middle of the field with ease. Chicago’s back seven lacked the quickness and the agility to stop them.
The Bears effectively addressed the defensive needs through free agency, acquiring linebacker Devin Bush and safety Coby Bryant. Bush runs a 4.43 and delivers high impact. He amassed 125 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, and scored two touchdowns last season. Bryant, excellent at everything, ranked as one of the game’s top run-defending safeties with a 75+ run defense grade. He made four interceptions and had a 78.4 targeted passing rating. Bush, at 27 years old, and Bryant, at 26, bring youth and excitement. Now, Chicago adds one of the draft’s highest-ranked safeties.
Thieneman shone at the NFL Scouting Combine, running an eye-whopping 4.35 in the 40-yard dash. For comparison’s sake, this is faster than Justin Jefferson’s 4.43, Stefon Diggs’ 4.46, and A.J. Brown’s 4.49, three of the game’s greatest receivers. The Bears sought speed in the draft, and it fell right into their lap.
Allen’s defenses emphasize aggressiveness and heavy-man coverage. His players must be smart, versatile, and physical. He strives to confuse offenses through exotic blitzes that have defenders coming seemingly from everywhere.
Thieneman’s well-roundedness will make him a seamless fit for Allen’s schemes. Thieneman played over 2,400 snaps in college and developed the ability to play strong and free safety as well as nickel. He can effectively accomplish whatever his coach asks of him with outstanding range and instincts.
Thieneman disrupted offenses with an innate ability to create turnovers, with eight interceptions in three seasons. He made a critical, leaping takeaway in a huge showdown last year against the Penn State Nittany Lions, which clinched the Oregon Ducks’ win and helped steer a playoff run.
Thieneman’s tackling also sets him apart. Scouts rated him as one of the best they had seen in years, with only a 8.3% missed tackle rate. Technique, intelligence, and instinct consistently put him in a position on his way to 306 career tackles. Seeing the pro game’s runaway sloppy tackling, this can’t be taken for granted.
Thieneman is the perfect safety type for Allen’s defense. Thieneman can play anywhere, and Allen will have him coming from every possible angle. Chicago’s defense generated the most turnovers last season, but they may be able to go to an even higher level this year because of the elevated athleticism and instincts.
The Bears, picking at 25, weren’t expected to get a player who could become a superstar for them. At that draft spot, teams realistically are looking for players who can become solid starters. Insiders everywhere had Thieneman going much earlier; no one foresaw him being a possibility for Chicago.
The Bears now have their best potential safety duo in generations with Bryant and Thieneman. The two are young, athletic, and versatile. A glaring weakness for Chicago last season has been flipped.
The Bears are known for outstanding defenses historically, highlighted by the 1985 Chicago team and, more recently, the Lovie Smith era. The ’85 Bears had quite possibly the game’s greatest pass rush ever, but don’t overlook the play of safety Gary Fencik. He went to Yale, and his intelligence helped make him an elite instinctive safety. Defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan knew he could trust Fencik with anything; that allowed the high-octane sack attack to wreak havoc.
Go to the Lovie Smith era, and one of the defensive highlights was the exceptional play of safety Mike Brown. Turnovers mixed in with pick-sixes rained during this time, and Brown was almost always at the center of it. Elite playmaking safeties and historic Chicago defenses go hand-in-hand.
Thieneman offers the Bears a chance to go back to those glory days. He gets to play now for an elite defensive coordinator and team with another outstanding playmaking safety. Chicago received tremendous good fortune seeing Thieneman fall, and the Bears will make good use of him.
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