Highlights of new Bears safety Dillon Thieneman

TL;DR

The Chicago Bears selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking a significant addition to their defense. This is the Bears' first first-round defensive pick since 2018 and their first safety selection in the first round since 1990.

Key points

Chicago Bears selected Dillon Thieneman with the 25th pick
Thieneman is a safety from Oregon
First defensive player drafted by Bears since 2018
First safety selected in the first round since 1990
Bears had a successful NFC North-winning season

Dillon ThienemanRoquan SmithMark CarrierChicago Bears

Highlights of new Bears safety Dillon Thieneman

The pick is in. With the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, landing one of the biggest steals of the first round.

The Bears aren't used to selecting in the 20s, but their NFC North-winning season (which included a wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers) pushed them farther down the draft board than they've been in a long time, but they will be bringing in a very good prospect.

Thieneman is the first defensive player that the Bears have selected in the first round since Roquan Smith in 2018 (the longest streak in the NFL). He's also the first safety taken by the Bears in the first round since Mark Carrier in 1990.

2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)

1 / 1

How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman

2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)

1 / 1

How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman

2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)

Q&A

Who is Dillon Thieneman and why was he drafted by the Bears?

Dillon Thieneman is a safety from Oregon, drafted by the Chicago Bears as the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to his potential as a strong defensive asset.

What is significant about the Bears drafting a safety in the first round?

The Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman marks their first first-round safety pick since Mark Carrier in 1990 and their first defensive first-round pick since Roquan Smith in 2018.

How did the Bears end up with the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Bears secured the 25th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to their NFC North-winning season, which included a wild-card playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers.