Bears select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman at 25
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Chicago selected Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Thieneman, a Westfield, Indiana native who spent two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Oregon, entered the draft after earning All-American honors and posting standout combine metrics.
The pick immediately bolsters a Bears secondary that lost multiple safeties in free agency this offseason; GM Ryan Poles described Thieneman as a violent tackler. This week the club added experienced depth via free agency and now adds a first-round rookie with a 4.35 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical to compete in offseason programs.
More context
Timeline
- 1. 2023: Thieneman earns All-American honors at Purdue.
- 2. 2025: Transfers to Oregon and posts All-American season.
- 3. February 2026: Posts a 4.35 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical at the NFL Combine.
- 4. 25th April 2026: Chicago selects Thieneman with the No. 25 overall pick in the NFL Draft.
- 5. Late April–May 2026: Thieneman joins the Bears for offseason activities and integration into the secondary.
Why it matters
The Bears' pick of Dillon Thieneman could mean a stronger defense for the team. His impressive stats and All-American honors suggest he's a player to watch. If you're a Bears fan, keep an eye on his performance during offseason programs.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
