The Chicago Bears selected Stanford tight end Sam Roush with the 69th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, surprising many experts. Roush is expected to enhance the team's run and pass game despite tight end not being a primary need.
Key points
Chicago Bears selected Sam Roush with the 69th overall pick
Roush is a tight end from Stanford
The selection surprised many NFL experts
Roush will enhance the Bears' run and pass game
He caught 119 passes for 1,201 yards in college
Sam RoushColston LovelandCole KmetCaleb Williams
How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Sam Roush
Tight end was far from a need for the Bears, with last year's standout Rookie Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet leading the way. But Chicago continued their strategy of selecting their best available, landing an elite blocker in Roush, who will help the run game and pass game thrive.
Roush, who stands at 6-foot-6 and weighs 267 pounds, will bring toughness and physicality to Ben Johnson's offense. In four years with Stanford, Roush caught 119 passes for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns. But his role will be as a blocker in this offense, where Johnson wants to run the football and open things up for quarterback Caleb Williams.
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
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How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
Q&A
Why did the Chicago Bears select Sam Roush in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Bears selected Sam Roush to follow their strategy of choosing the best available player, adding an elite blocker to support their run and pass game.
What are Sam Roush's stats from his college career at Stanford?
During his college career at Stanford, Sam Roush caught 119 passes for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns.
How does Sam Roush fit into the Bears' offensive strategy?
Sam Roush is expected to bring toughness and physicality to the Bears' offense, primarily serving as a blocker to enhance the run game.
Who are the current tight ends on the Chicago Bears roster?
The current tight ends on the Bears roster include standout rookie Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.
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How NFL experts graded the Bears' selection of Dillon Thieneman
2026 NFL Draft: Bears select Dillon Thieneman in first round (No. 25)
Here’s a collection of all of the grades for Roush from various media outlets, where experts were divided about the Bears' selection. While some raved about Chicago landing a great blocker, others questioned why the team went tight end over bigger needs.
USA Today: C
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "More bold tight end moves. The cupboard clearly isn't bare in Chicago, but the offense adds another option in Roush. His short arms and drops are cause for concern, and Ben Johnson will have to tap into his trademark creative streak to extract proper value from him in the passing game, though he has some promising tools."
The Athletic: D+
Scott Dochterman: "The Bears have a significant need along the defensive line, but they’ve chosen to ignore it. They already have invested heavily at tight end in recent years, with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, and still have the league’s 27th-ranked run defense. Roush (6-6, 267) is a massive target, a smooth pass catcher and a terrific blocker — this grade is not an indictment of his talent."
NFL.com: B+
Chad Reuter: "Roush met the Bears' need for a tight end who can block and be effective as a receiver, if he cuts down on drops."
CBS Sports: A
Mike Renner: "Roush is one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. At nearly 270 pounds, he can legitimately go toe-to-toe with NFL defensive ends. This now gives the Bears easily the best run-blocking trio of tight ends in the NFL."
Yahoo! Sports: C+
Charles McDonald: "Arm length is short by NFL standards, but Roush has a good, athletic profile. He's able to play in-line and contribute in the run game in Ben Johnson's 12 and 13 personnel."
Sports Illustrated: C+
Matt Verderame: "Roush comes from the Big Ten, where he starred with the Cardinal. The 267-pounder is one of the bigger tight ends you’ll see, and in 2025, he caught 49 passes for 545 yards and two touchdowns. At the next level, he projects to be a blocker who can occasionally make a play in the passing game.
**How he fits with the Bears:**Roush is an interesting pick for the Bears, who already have a bona fide star in Colston Loveland and an excellent backup in Cole Kmet. Roush fits Ben Johnson’s run scheme, making him a valuable asset, even in limited snaps."
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
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Bears HC Ben Johnson had perfect reaction to Dillon Thieneman pick
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Bears HC Ben Johnson had perfect reaction to Dillon Thieneman pick
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Bears GM Ryan Poles explains what he loves about Dillon Thieneman
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
5 / 19
Coby Bryant had the best reaction to Bears' pick of Dillon Thieneman
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
6 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
7 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
8 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
9 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
10 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
11 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
12 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Bears safety Dillon Thieneman outran Justin Jefferson in 40-yard dash
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
15 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
16 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
17 / 19
Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safety
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Bears earned 'elite' grade for Dillon Thieneman selection in NFL draft
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.
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Highlights of new Bears safety Dillon Thieneman
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Sporting News: B
Vinnie Iyer: "Ben Johnson loves having three tight ends at times and the Bears dig deep for a more of a pure blocker inline to complement dynamic receiver Colston Loveland and well-rounded Cole Kmet. Roush just may have been a slight reach before Day 3."
Bleacher Report: B
Brent Sobleski: "The Chicago Bears' offense will be fascinating with all the tight end talent currently found on its roster. Last year's first-round pick, Colston Loveland, led the team in receiving last year. Veteran Cole Kmet is a viable veteran who can play in line and serve as a legitimate target. Now, the Bears add Sam Roush, whose upside is immense. He is the future of Chicago's Y-tight end in 12 personnel. Stanford is a pipeline for tight end prospects, with 10 drafted during the previous 20 years. Roush has as much upside as anyone during that period, even Zach Ertz and Coby Fleener.
The incoming prospect is the class's best blocking tight end. He fires off the ball low, with a flat back and drives through defenders. His real potential lies in the pass game. Stanford didn't have the caliber of quarterback play to fully feature a tight end with Roush's athletic prowess. In fact, the 6'6", 270-pound player posted a top-10 RAS among the last 40 draft classes. Roush has a high floor thanks to his in-line capabilities and a sky-high ceiling if his pass-game potential is unlocked."
For The Win: C+
For The Win: "Huh, so is this the end of the Cole Kmet era in Chicago? Colston Loveland was a hit last season, and now Chicago adds another high impact tight end to its ranks. Roush is a plus athlete at nearly 270 pounds, giving linebackers headaches when they have to either track him downfield or bring him to the turf. His blocking, however, remains a work in progress and there are a few too many drops on his tape for my liking."
SB Nation: D
James Dator: "Look, I’m willing to go out on a limb here and make Ben Johnson make me look like an idiot. This pick sucks. There has been a bizarre run at tight end at this point in the class to where everyone was reaching like mad, and Rousch is a major reach for a team with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. Rousch did not make any Top 100 board because he plays small, has below average athleticism, and is a mediocre blocker."
Bears Wire: C
Mike Pendleton: "Roush was an unnecessary choice, not because he's a bad player but the tight end position was not one of need, and there were plenty of options available at other needs. Chicago had opportunities to bring in an offensive tackle, or edge rusher, potentially even a wide receiver if they wanted an offensive weapon, but they decided to bring in a guy who will be the third tight end on the depth chart from the start. Roush didn't jump off the paper in box scores, and feels more as a short-field threat than a deep threat, but head coach Ben Johnson proved he knew what he was doing with the selection with Loveland last season, so only time will tell."