The Chicago Bears‘ defense got off to a horrid start this season. Through the first two quarters of the year, they allowed 24 points in Carolina. It was hard to watch. However, things have shifted. In the six quarters they’ve played since then, they’ve only allowed 22 points. That is a significant improvement. Part of it is Dennis Allen and his staff doing a good job of making adjustments to get guys in a better position to make plays. However, much of the shoring up should be credited to the surprisingly rapid ascent of rookies Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammad.
For the second week in a row, the Bears’ two draft picks have been a big part of helping the defense step up when needed. Last week, Muhammad had a big interception of Bryce Young. This week, he added a sack to that list. His ability was never a question. It was about whether he could develop the consistency needed. That is certainly the case so far.
As for Thieneman? He leads the entire defense with 17 tackles and 2 passes defended. His ability to clean up his teammates’ mistakes, from good tackles to timely hits in coverage, should not be overlooked.
Dillon Thieneman being this good already is a big deal.
People forget the level of risk this team took in the spring when they basically allowed their entire safety room to depart in free agency. Kevin Byard left for New England. Jaquan Brisker left for Pittsburgh. C.J. Gardner-Johnson left for Buffalo. Overhauling an entire position group in one offseason is difficult. Still, it looked like the Bears made a strong effort. First, they signed standout Coby Bryant in free agency, fresh off his Super Bowl title with Seattle. Then they drafted Thieneman 25th overall, the first safety taken in the 1st round by the franchise in 36 years.
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It looked like a strong pairing to work with. Then barely a week into training camp, Bryant injured his knee. He was forced to undergo surgery, facing a two-month recovery as a result. That left Dillon Thieneman in the unenviable spot of trying to carry the position as a rookie while the Bears scrambled to find a suitable replacement for Bryant. All things considered, he’s done a fantastic job. Just how much better might it get once Bryant returns in a few weeks?
Muhammad is easily the biggest surprise.
Remember, he was a 4th round pick. Expectations for his rookie year weren’t overly high. He’d serve as a rotational backup who might get a handful of snaps each week. Then the entire Kyler Gordon fiasco unfolded. Once it became clear the nickel cornerback would not be ready to start the season, the Bears had to search for other options. Even though Muhammad played most of his college career on the boundary, they decided he had the necessary skill set to move inside.
That assessment was right on the money. The rookie has taken to the position like gasoline to a fire. It’s been good enough so far that you have to at least ask the question. Do the Bears automatically have to re-insert Gordon when he does return? He hasn’t exactly been reliable over the past year and a half. Definitely a storyline to watch once he becomes eligible to return after the Jets game in two weeks.
