Dillon Thieneman was seen as the perfect scenario for the Chicago Bears in the 2026 NFL Draft, and when it actually happened, it appeared to be a home run selection.
Thieneman gave the Bears the versatile safety they needed to work with free agent signing Coby Bryant and improve a defense that struggled a season ago, but the real question is how the rookie will perform in 2026. Bleacher Report writer Alex Kay has a bold prediction for Thieneman, with a final stat line of 95 tackles and five interceptions.
"The Chicago Bears secured a true impact player in Dillon Thieneman. The team had a clear hole at the safety spot and filled it by using the No. 25 overall pick on the former Purdue and Oregon player. Thieneman entered the league with a wealth of experience as a three-year starter, a stretch that helped him hone his football IQ and playmaking talents. He can line up at any safety position and thrive, supporting the run and dropping into coverage with equal skill."
"Given his natural athleticism, relentless motor and impressive instincts, Thieneman will not only open 2026 as a starter for the Bears, but also have a strong chance to lead all first-year players in interceptions while racking up a ton of tackles."
Dillon Thieneman could be putting up monster numbers in Year 1
If Thieneman could actually get those kind of numbers in his rookie season, those would be good enough to make him a top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. At the same time, it really shouldn't be too much of a surprise to Bears fans if that is the case.
Those were similar numbers that Thieneman was putting up in college with Purdue and Oregon. He had back-to-back seasons with the Boilermakers where he had over 100 tackles and racked up 96 last year in his only campaign with the Ducks. His career-high for interceptions in a season came his freshman year at Purdue in 2023, when he nabbed six.
The ability to force turnovers is kind of the specialty of this Bears defense, as they led the NFL last year with 33. Kevin Byard had an NFL-high seven interceptions in 2025, leaving that void to be filled by Thieneman, as Bryant is more of a play disruptor than a turnover machine.
Chicago lost a good portion of the guys who created those turnovers, like Byard and Nahshon Wright. That's where Thieneman might be under more pressure to ensure he is able to fill that gap quickly.
More importantly, though, Thieneman could be more of a threat in pass-rushing situations for the Bears. His versatility can put him anywhere on the field and make a play, including in the box, where he gets in the quarterback's face, which Bears fans got to see at OTAs with his "sack" on quarterback Caleb Williams.
Read more: Bears can be handed Lombardi Trophy if this bold prediction comes true
With defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's creativity, Thieneman has a strong chance of shining in this Bears defense. The fan base is ready for him to be the next great Bears defender.
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