Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman models his game after this Hall of Famer

TL;DR

Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to fill the starting safety position. He models his game after Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu, known for his tackling and coverage skills.

Key points

Dillon Thieneman was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2026.
He plays the safety position.
Thieneman draws inspiration from Troy Polamalu.
His skills include clean tackling and strong coverage.
The Bears aimed to fill key defensive gaps in the draft.

Mentioned in this story

Troy Polamalu

Chicago BearsDillon Thieneman

Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman models his game after this Hall of Famer

The Chicago Bears used the 2026 NFL Draft to address several holes on their roster, especially on defense, but none greater than the starting safety spot with their first round pick Dillon Thieneman, a pick that has been praised among draft experts for the fit and talent.

Coming into the draft, many mock drafts did not expect Thieneman to be available at the Bears' selection, but as multiple teams moved up the board right in front of them, Chicago was able to select the best player that fit their needs.

As for the type of player that they are getting, Thieneman has been praised for his clean tackling ability, tremendous coverage skills, and the rookie himself said he pulls inspiration from Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu.