The Chicago Bears had plenty of intriguing options on the board when they went on the clock at 25th overall Thursday night. However, one name stood out above the rest. Many experts believed Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was a top 20 lock. Some even felt he could be the first at his position off the board because of his terrific mix of size and athleticism. However, extended runs at offensive tackle, edge rusher, and wide receiver saw Thieneman fall to the Bears. General manager Ryan Poles knew it was an opportunity he couldn’t afford to pass up.
Chicago needed safety help after losing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker to free agency. They’d managed to sign Coby Bryant to fill one of those spots, but the other remains a question mark. Not anymore. Thieneman should be a plug-and-play starter next to him, offering all sorts of versatility.
Not everybody was happy about the pick, though. Minnesota Vikings fans were almost apoplectic when the news came down that the safety was going to Chicago. Many had projected the NFC North rival would take Thieneman at #18 overall, becoming the heir apparent to aging star Harrison Smith. It didn’t happen, and fans couldn’t handle it.
The Dillon Thieneman pick hits twice as hard for them.
It starts with the reason stated above. Smith is 37 years old. He is nearing the end of a glittering career in Minnesota. The team has been putting off finding an eventual heir for some time. Thieneman looked like the ideal solution. Some inside the NFL even compared him to Smith with his size, range, and intelligence. It felt like a no-brainer. Instead, the Vikings bowed to their needs at defensive tackle. Remember, they had to cut Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen this offseason due to salary cap constraints. That is a big reason why they took Caleb Banks.
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Make no mistake. The Florida product is very talented. Many have called him a more athletic Gervon Dexter. He showed flashes of dominance in college. Unfortunately, health issues kept getting in the way. A foot injury ended his 2025 season early. Then another foot injury hit him during the pre-draft process. Two injuries to the same area of his body felt like a major red flag, especially for a player of his sheer size. That was not the sort of gamble Vikings fans wanted to see, especially after years of roster mismanagement by former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
It’s never a bad sign when rival fans hate your pick.
Some criticized the Bears for taking Dillon Thieneman over a defensive tackle or edge rusher, who were more pressing needs. He can’t rush the passer. The fact is, the board didn’t line up that way for the Bears. Five edge rushers went before the Bears picked at #25. Six offensive tackles went. The defensive tackle class is weak. Chicago had a choice. Reach at one of those positions, hoping they get lucky that other teams made a mistake, or trust the board and take the best talent. They chose the latter.
Taking a safety in the 1st round isn’t glamorous. Most believe it isn’t a premium position compared to cornerback and edge rusher. However, the reality is that great defenses always have at least one really good safety. The Bears know this. It was Mike Brown in the 2000s, Gary Fencik in the 1980s, and Richie Petitbon in the 1960s. There is no telling how high Thieneman will climb. Yet most agree he has a bright future ahead of him, especially under such an accomplished coaching staff.
