After a division rival who seemed likely (maybe a little too likely, based on mock drafts) to take him passed on him, the Chicago Bears gladly took Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round of April's draft. He is effectively the poster boy of the offseason effort to get faster, younger, and more athletic on defense.
With that in mind, Thieneman is projected to be an immediate starter and, hopefully, an instant star. By all accounts, he picked things up quickly during offseason work, so training camp may be a mere formality when it comes to locking down his expected role.
Using FanDuel Sportsbook's latest odds, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has offered a dark horse to win each of the major NFL awards this year. At +2700, or 27/1 if you prefer that terminology (odds subject to change), Thieneman was tabbed as the dark horse to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Dillon Thieneman could end Bears' award drought
"Thieneman has real potential to make a run at the Defensive Rookie of the Year award", Kay wrote. "At 27-1, he is tied with Malachi Lawrence—the Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher taken two picks ahead of him—for the 10th-best odds in this race."
"While he's not a front-runner for the honor, Thieneman could vault to the top of the favorites list with a fast start to his NFL career. The safety is the fast, athletic playmaker the Chicago secondary has sorely lacked, opening the door for him to start all 17 games and rarely, if ever, come off the field."
Kay noted how Thieneman's versatility should keep him on the field a lot as a rookie. Mix in a collegiate resume as a ballhawk and a highly productive tackler, which should carry over fairly easily, and you have a recipe for a realistic run at Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Kay also warned that if someone were so inclined where it's legal to do so, how now might be the time to get a Defensive Rookie of the Year bet in on Thieneman.
"Don't hesitate to get in on Thieneman's Defensive Rookie of the Year chances at 27-1. Those odds won't last long, especially if he shows out and makes big plays over the first few weeks of the 2026 NFL season."
The follow-up question is obvious, so let's answer it. Three Bears have won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year since the award started in 1967.
DT Wally Chambers-1973
FS Mark Carrier-1990
LB Brian Urlacher-2000
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The last time a Bears player won an AP award of any kind was in 2005, when Urlacher won Defensive Player of the Year. If someone is going to end that drought this year, Thieneman is high on the list of candidates.
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