CHI Dillon Thieneman
NFL player. Position: DB. Team: CHI.
Quick Facts
- Position: DB (Defensive Back)
- Team: CHI (Chicago Bears)
- 2026 Draft: Round 1, Pick 25
- College: Oregon
2026 Outlook
Standout defensive back from Oregon who impressed during one season with the Ducks. Ranked second on Oregon with 96 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups. Notable for a two-point interception in double overtime that clinched a thrilling win against No. 3 Penn State. Bears drafted Thieneman in first round hoping he starts right away, but early practice reports show him working with second-team defense—suggesting Chicago will make him earn his spot on the depth chart under coach Ben Johnson (per Oregon Rookies Get Good and Bad NFL News Before Training Camp).
Training camp 2026: Thieneman's versatility is expected to be a cornerstone of the Bears' defensive rebuild under coordinator Dennis Allen. His playmaking ability at Oregon should translate to the NFL, and the Bears are positioning him as their future secondary leader. Expected to start by Week 1 and likely to be among the most exciting defensive rookies to watch in preseason. (per NFL training camp: 10 preseason breakout players - Yahoo Sports)
At the 2026 NFL Combine, Thieneman was "the big winner at the safety position" with a dominant performance: 4.35-second 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical. These combine numbers and his on-field showing could lock him into an early Day 1 role as the Bears' future secondary leader (per 2026 NFL Combine standouts: Cornerbacks, safeties, & tight ends).
Pre-draft evaluators, including Vikings scouts, pegged Thieneman as the odds-on favorite to land with Minnesota at pick 18. He was compared to Harrison Smith and seen as a future do-it-all safety capable of anchoring a defense for 5+ years. (per Vikings Draft Big Board for 2026)
Role / Depth Chart
Working his way into first-team reps during mandatory minicamp while spending the spring learning Dennis Allen's defense. Has been a "sponge" soaking up knowledge from veteran safeties Coby Bryant and Elijah Hicks (per Kevin Byard Receives Career News After Leaving Bears For Patriots)—suggesting he may earn more significant reps heading into the preseason despite being drafted to start.
Vikings draft interest: Before being drafted by Chicago, Thieneman was floated as a potential safety prospect for the Vikings at pick 18, viewed as having "tremendous upside" to address Minnesota's secondary concerns under Brian Flores' coverage-dependent scheme. (per Vikings are one draft decision away from a defensive nightmare in 2026)
Injury Status
(none reported)
Recent News
- 2026-02-27 — 2026 NFL Combine day two review — Dillon Thieneman’s epic show, cornerback depth is there (2026 NFL Combine day two review — Dillon Thieneman’s epic show, cornerback depth is there)
- 2026-06-18 — Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection: Who will enter training camp on the bubble? (Chicago Bears 53-man roster projection: Who will enter training camp on the bubble?)
- 2026-06-02 — Ranking college football's top 100 newcomers for the 2026 season (Ranking college football's top 100 newcomers for the 2026 season)
- 2026-04-20 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks (2026 NFL mock draft: Jordan Reid's predictions for 257 picks)
- 2026-04-16 — 2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs (2026 NFL draft: How all 32 teams can ace their picks, needs)
- 2026-06-16 — Breaking down every NFL team's offseason spending and most expensive free agent (Breaking down every NFL team's offseason spending and most expensive free agent)
- 2026-04-23 — Chicago Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon with No. 25 pick in 2026 NFL... (Chicago Bears select safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon with No. 25 pick in 2026 NFL...)
- 2026-02-25 — 2026 NFL Combine preview: 12 Defensive Backs the Lions should be scouting (2026 NFL Combine preview: 12 Defensive Backs the Lions should be scouting)
- 2026-04-30 — Chicago Bears’ roster has undergone major change. Now, how will they get better? (Chicago Bears’ roster has undergone major change. Now, how will they get better?)
- 2026-03-30 — 2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7 (2026 NFL mock draft: Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7)