The Chicago Bears felt lucky when they landed safety Dillon Thieneman in the 1st round of the draft. They felt his mixture of size, speed, and instincts would make for an eventual Pro Bowl player. Through the first few days of training camp, the rookie looked a half step late on several plays. However, he began picking up the pace in the past few days. Saturday might’ve been his best. Not only did he have a terrific run fit to stuff Kyle Monangai in red zone drills, but he got things started in the first situational period by intercepting a Caleb Williams heave to the end zone. It was his first of the summer.
Unsurprisingly, his defensive teammates and coaches celebrated the achievement.
There was one problem. Practice wasn’t over, and if there is anything we know about quarterback Caleb Williams, it is that he can hold a grudge. He hates throwing interceptions. So when Thieneman got him, the Bears quarterback decided to make his life hell for the rest of practice. It started by going at him frequently with help from tight end Colston Loveland, with predictable results.
Then, in the last situational drill of the morning, Williams evaded pressure and threw a “game-winning” touchdown to Rome Odunze, who beat Thieneman and Anthony Johnson for the ball.
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Dillon Thieneman got a taste of the Iceman.
If there is one thing we’ve learned about the Bears’ young quarterback, it’s that he doesn’t dwell on mistakes. He fearlessly keeps attacking. He also smells weakness. Thieneman may have gotten a gift on that interception, but like many, it came with a price. The Iceman always collects in the end. Williams probably didn’t intend to target the rookie specifically on the final play. Still, you can’t deny it turned out better than he could’ve hoped. Thieneman should feel fortunate it was only practice. Williams has done that to teams, ending their seasons.
It was a fitting message that he should be grateful they’re on the same side. At the same time, it was also an important lesson. Dillon Thieneman cannot afford to take a single snap off, regardless of time or situation. These quarterbacks in the NFL are way too good at what they do. They can erase a 21-point lead in a matter of minutes if you give them an opening. Few are better at it than Williams. What happened in that practice was a mere taste of the real thing.
Don’t let this moment erase the positive momentum.
Thieneman is starting to look like the player Chicago drafted. He’s all over the field, putting himself in position to make plays. It isn’t exclusive to coverage or run support. He can do all of it. Having somebody that gifted on the back end of your defense is so fortunate. While he can’t be expected to command the secondary at this stage, there is no question Thieneman will handle his responsibilities well. As he gains confidence with each passing week, the playmaking should surface at a faster clip.
As for Williams, he is already in midseason form. He distributed the ball very well in practice, knew when to go to his primary targets, and made something happen when he had to. This marked the second time in consecutive practices that he beat the defense in a two-minute situation on the final drive. His uncanny knack for late magic remains untarnished. Here is hoping he saves some of it for the season when the games start mattering.
