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In the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears used their No. 25 overall selection to upgrade the safety position with Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon.
With all the pre-draft speculation year in and year out, Chicago, unlike several teams, opted to simply let the board fall to them and were able to land a player that many didn't think would be available when their pick came around.
Thieneman will now play alongside the team's big free-agent signing in Coby Bryant in their remade secondary, as the two hope to fulfill what the front office and coaching staff were looking for in upgrading the defense this offseason.
Now headed to the Windy City, here are five things to know about Thieneman:
After two seasons with Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 season and left his mark on both programs. Despite only playing two seasons at Purdue, Thieneman's impact was felt from the very beginning, where he set school records both in interceptions and solo tackles as a true freshman.
During his lone season as a member of the Ducks, Thieneman had a season that elevated his draft stock, which ultimately led him to being a first round draft choice. In the 2025 season, Thieneman finished the year with 96 tackles and two interceptions, while also grading at a 91.0 on the PFF-grading scale for all defensive backs in college football.
Thieneman had the 11th-fastest 40-yard dash time of all players at this year's NFL Scouting Combine back in February, with a 4.35 official time. That time was good enough to see him outrun multiple notable premier wide receivers currently in the NFL, including Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs.
Going back to his time at Purdue, Thieneman made history by being the first ever defensive player in Big Ten conference history to earn a weekly award five times in one year. Thieneman's stellar play as a true freshman saw him win the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award five times, a conference record. He also set Purdue records with 74 tackles and six interceptions during his freshman year.
Understandably, Thieneman went to Purdue after showcasing himself across the state of Indiana, where he would win Mr. Football while playing for Westfield High School in Indiana. Thieneman couldn't get his team a championship, as they finished as runner-up twice but showcased his ability to be a pure clean tackler with over 250 tackles during his high school days. From Mr. Football in Indiana to Purdue, and then to Oregon, Thieneman is well experienced, well traveled, and highly talented dating back to when he was just getting his football career started.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Things to know about Chicago safety
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With all the pre-draft speculation year in and year out, Chicago, unlike several teams, opted to simply let the board fall to them and were able to land a player that many didn't think would be available when their pick came around.
Thieneman will now play alongside the team's big free-agent signing in Coby Bryant in their remade secondary, as the two hope to fulfill what the front office and coaching staff were looking for in upgrading the defense this offseason.
Now headed to the Windy City, here are five things to know about Thieneman:
Thieneman split his college career between Purdue and Oregon
After two seasons with Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2025 season and left his mark on both programs. Despite only playing two seasons at Purdue, Thieneman's impact was felt from the very beginning, where he set school records both in interceptions and solo tackles as a true freshman.
Thieneman was named First-team All-Big Ten in one season at Oregon
During his lone season as a member of the Ducks, Thieneman had a season that elevated his draft stock, which ultimately led him to being a first round draft choice. In the 2025 season, Thieneman finished the year with 96 tackles and two interceptions, while also grading at a 91.0 on the PFF-grading scale for all defensive backs in college football.
Thieneman is faster than some top NFL wide receivers
Thieneman had the 11th-fastest 40-yard dash time of all players at this year's NFL Scouting Combine back in February, with a 4.35 official time. That time was good enough to see him outrun multiple notable premier wide receivers currently in the NFL, including Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs.
.@oregonfootball S Dillon Thieneman just casually out-running three of the best WRs in the game
2026 NFL Combine on @nflnetwork
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/cg1oodDj6e
— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2026
Thieneman made Big 10 history as a true freshman
Going back to his time at Purdue, Thieneman made history by being the first ever defensive player in Big Ten conference history to earn a weekly award five times in one year. Thieneman's stellar play as a true freshman saw him win the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award five times, a conference record. He also set Purdue records with 74 tackles and six interceptions during his freshman year.
Thieneman was Mr. Football in state of Indiana during his high school days
Understandably, Thieneman went to Purdue after showcasing himself across the state of Indiana, where he would win Mr. Football while playing for Westfield High School in Indiana. Thieneman couldn't get his team a championship, as they finished as runner-up twice but showcased his ability to be a pure clean tackler with over 250 tackles during his high school days. From Mr. Football in Indiana to Purdue, and then to Oregon, Thieneman is well experienced, well traveled, and highly talented dating back to when he was just getting his football career started.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Things to know about Chicago safety
Continue reading...
