The Chicago Bears went the unconventional route in the NFL draft this year. It had been 36 years since the franchise selected a safety in the 1st round. That was Mark Carrier in 1990. This isn’t something teams usually do these days, what with safety being a “non-premium” position in most NFL circles. However, the Bears felt Dillon Thieneman was a rare specimen. His mixture of size, speed, and instincts made for the type of Swiss Army knife that could make any defense much harder to attack.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was thrilled with the pick. Thieneman checked all of the athletic boxes general manager Ryan Poles prefers with 1st rounders. Even head coach Ben Johnson saw the type of gritty, intelligent style he covets in players, despite being an offensive guy. Expectations for the rookie are high inside the building. Still, as a later 1st round selection, one would imagine there isn’t much thought about what he may accomplish. Tell that to Bleacher Report, who believe he’s poised for a big-time rookie year.
“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.
2026 Stat Prediction: 98 tackles, 5 interceptions“
This Dillon Thieneman prediction isn’t out of left field.
Just start with the man he’s playing for. Allen has a proven track record for getting his safeties into good positions to make plays. Kevin Byard proved that last year with seven interceptions. Tyrann Mathieu had four during one season. Marcus Williams had four twice. If the player does his job and uses Allen’s creative scheming, along with the necessary instincts, there will be ample opportunities for takeaways. Thieneman was constantly applauded for his range and intelligence in coverage.
Don’t believe it? He showed that ability as a freshman at Purdue. Despite such limited experience, he collected six interceptions that season. So we already know he is capable of putting up those kinds of numbers if the circumstances are right. The big key for the rookie will be how much help he gets from the Bears’ pass rush. It was hot and cold last season, and the team didn’t do much to improve it this spring. That means it may come down to luck and how good Allen is at manufacturing pressure.
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The Bears have put their 1st round pick in a great situation.
He’s playing in a defense that treats the position with proper respect. Allen was a defensive backs specialist before ascending the NFL ladder. That is, before you mention that Dillon Thieneman will also work with Al Harris, one of the best secondary coaches in the league. Beyond that, you have Coby Bryant arriving as a free agent from Seattle. He was widely praised as a locker room leader and tone-setter for the Seahawks. His presence next to the rookie will be invaluable.
If the Bears give Thieneman freedom to play without restrictions, he will get himself in position for interception opportunities. He’s shown he can do it on the regular. The trick will be how much time it takes him to absorb the defensive scheme. Allen admitted last year that players were overwhelmed by it at times, which led to some struggles. Rookies make mistakes. It won’t be any different with Thieneman. The trick will be working through them to find consistency without losing his aggressiveness.
