Dillon Thieneman to the Chicago Bears named one of the best rookie-team fits

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 23: Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses for a studio portrait during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I was ecstatic when the Chicago Bears selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the twenty-fifth overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. It was a perfect marriage of the best player available and team need, and he should be a week one starter roaming the Chicago secondary for a decade.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen, a seven-year NFL veteran and Glenbard West High School (IL) alum, has been a staple on local radio and an ESPN analyst for over a decade. When it comes to breaking down secondary play, there’s no one better than him, so his latest article piqued my interest. He wrote up the best rookie team fits with their perfect landing spots, and one of his picks was Thieneman to the Bears.

With Thieneman and free agent signee Coby Bryant, coordinator Dennis Allen now has two interchangeable safeties with strong ball skills. Specifically, Thieneman’s speed and range to track the ball deep give Allen more flexibility in the game plan to move late or disguise from two-high shells.

Thieneman can also spin down at the snap to cut on crossers in Cover 2-Man or patrol the underneath zones. The Bears get an upgrade — and a scheme fit — here with Thieneman, who had eight interceptions in college.

Prior to the Draft, Bowen broke down some of Thieneman’s play, and you can check that out here.