Bears NFL Draft 2026: Chicago selects Dillon Thieneman, Oregon safety

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 01: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks pursues a play on defense during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on January 01, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Chicago Bears stayed put in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and with the 25th overall selection, they took Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Thieneman is the first Bears safety in the first round of the draft since USC’s Mark Carrier in 1990.

Thieneman (6’0 1/8″, 201 pounds) has a great chance to be a day-one plug-and-play starter next to Coby Bryant, and her versatility should allow defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to disguise coverages.

The Bears had a goal this offseason on adding more team speed, and Thieneman’s 4.35 forty gives them that.

He was a First Team All-American last year with the Ducks, and a Third Team All-American in 2023 as a Freshman with the Purdue Boilermakers.

This is the first defender the Bears have selected in the first round since 2018 (Roquan Smith)

We’ll record an immediate reaction podcast about the selection, so check that out right here as soon as it publishes from our 2nd City Gridiron channels.