When your defense gives up 37 points in a game, it can be difficult to find positives to talk about. The Chicago Bears did win the game, so that made it somewhat easier to view the defense through a less emotional lens. For one, the pass rush played well, pressuring Bryce Young 22 times. Most of the problems stem from a lack of gap integrity by the linebackers against the run and from the cornerbacks’ inability to play consistent coverage. However, there was plenty of good to take away from Dillon Thieneman.
The 25th overall pick would’ve been forgiven for looking a little overwhelmed. Most rookies do in their first game. Not Thieneman. He stood out far more than expected. Former NFL defensive back Matt Bowen certainly thought so.
Bowen played safety in his career. So he knows what he’s talking about. If he is complimenting Thieneman’s performance, it is worth noting. He doesn’t do that unless he sees it on tape. Many times, you’ll notice the rookie cleaning up mistakes by his teammates, limiting what probably should’ve been bigger gains. The rookie was truly Mr. Fix-It for much of the game.
Dillon Thieneman feels like a step in the right direction.
For too long, the Bears have tried to build their defense through a mix of pricey free agents and day two draft investments. It hasn’t worked. Kyler Gordon hasn’t lived up to his contract extension. Jaquan Brisker and Gervon Dexter are gone. Tyrique Stevenson probably isn’t far behind. Shemar Turner tore his ACL. T.J. Edwards was great at first, but he seems to have lost some of his juice. Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo were big disappointments last season. Coby Bryant has already injured his knee.
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It’s hard to build good units in the NFL without a core supply of 1st round picks. The Bears haven’t been doing that, choosing to focus on the offense. Dillon Thieneman is the first defensive player they’ve taken in the 1st round since 2018. Small wonder he was probably their best player on Sunday outside of Montez Sweat. It finally feels like the Bears may have someone they can build around—a true blue-chip talent. Unfortunately, as we saw on Sunday, he can’t do it alone.
Will we see the defense at full strength?
This has been a persistent issue since last year. Due to ongoing injuries, the Bears never really saw the unit they’d built actually play together. Now, 2026 is off to the same start. Bryant and Gordon are out for at least another three games. Will the defense avoid further injuries until they return? That is certainly the hope. Their addition to the mix might help Thieneman stabilize the secondary, allowing the defensive front to create more havoc for opposing quarterbacks.
When watching the rookie play, he shows signs of what the Bears used to have with Mike Brown. Those who never saw the former Pro Bowl player in the 2000s really missed out. His intelligence and versatility made him such a weapon at the back end of those great defenses in 2001 and 2005. It is why the injuries that shortened his career were so heartbreaking. Thieneman has those same traits, and he’s a better athlete.
