After a mass exodus of defensive starters, Chicago’s decision to wait for the versatile Oregon playmaker at No. 25 is being hailed as a masterclass in patience.
The Chicago Bears lost key positions in free agency.
It started with Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman announcing his retirement. That was before free agency.
Chicago lost starters Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Nahshon Wright and Tremaine Edmunds.
The Bears released Edmunds to free up cap space and signed Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush to replace him. The franchise then added Coby Bryant to make up for one of the starting safety spots.
The 2026 NFL Draft was where the Bears addressed its other needs in the secondary.
Even with Bryant, the Bears still needed another safety to start alongside him. Cam Lewis has experience as a defensive back, but not many starts.
Chicago drafted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 and then picked Texas corner Malik Muhammad in the fourth round.
ESPN's Matt Miller was especially fond of the Thieneman pick, ranking it as the 11th-best move in the draft.
"The Bears' offseason started with zero safeties under contract," Miller said. "GM Ryan Poles added Coby Bryant in free agency, but safety was a glaring hole we knew would get addressed in the draft, too. What we didn't know was that Thieneman would slip to them at No. 25. Being patient and playing the board paid off, as the Bears didn't have to trade up to land a prospect who was frequently mocked to the Vikings at No. 18. Thieneman will be the point guard of the secondary, aligning at free safety but moving around the formation. With eight career interceptions, he is the playmaker Chicago's secondary needs."
Thieneman's college career started at Purdue in 2023.
He recorded over 100 total tackles in the two seasons he spent there, with six interceptions as a true freshman. He transferred to Oregon and didn't skip a beat.
Thieneman had 96 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs, one sack and two interceptions last season with the Ducks.
What stands out about Thieneman is his versatility. He played free safety the most in college, but also had snaps at box, slot corner, cornerback and the defensive line.
Safety wasn't the position the Bears were projected to take first in the draft. Chicago needed an edge rusher and defensive tackle as well.
There was a lack of depth revealed after Dayo Odeyingbo's Achilles injury. The team as a whole recorded only 35 sacks, ranking 22nd in the league.
The interior of the defensive line was important after Chicago allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game. The Bears finally picked a defensive lineman in the sixth round, with Georgia Tech defensive tackle Jordan Van Den Berg.
At the end of the day, Thieneman was an exciting prospect who was the best player available in General Manager Ryan Poles' mind. He wasn't the pick everyone thought the Bears would make, but he's a great weapon for the defense.