Trending Now - Bears Choose Oregon Safety Dillon Thieneman With 25th Pick

WHO:

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman's older brother is named Jake.

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman, a safety from Oregon, was selected by the Chicago Bears.

chicagobears.com - Ryan Poles is the general manager of the Chicago Bears.

chicagobears.com - Ben Johnson is the coach of the Chicago Bears.

NBC Sports - The Bears lost players Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker during the offseason.

WHAT:

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 23rd, 2026, marking the first time the Bears have drafted a safety in the first round in 36 years.

NBC Sports - The Bears ranked 29th in total defense prior to the draft and had not selected a defensive player in the first round since 2018.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman's college career included 39 games over three seasons, with a total of 306 tackles, eight interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showcasing his speed and versatility.

NBC Sports - The Bears had not selected a defensive player in the first round since 2018, when they picked Roquan Smith.

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles described Thieneman as "obsessed with football" and noted his "violent speed" in tackling.

chicagobears.com - Bears director of college scouting Breck Ackley stated that Thieneman's most impressive trait is his range, saying, "He goes to the combine, he blows it up, he matches what he shows on film."

chicagobears.com - Coach Ben Johnson expressed excitement about Thieneman's selection, stating, "You can feel his body language start to get excited by somebody."

chicagobears.com - Poles compared Thieneman to 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, noting similarities in work ethic and passion for football.

chicagobears.com - The Bears envision Thieneman teaming with free agent acquisition Coby Bryant to form one of the NFL's fastest and most versatile safety tandems.

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman's brother Jake alerted him to the call from the Bears, saying, "Dude, dude!" when he saw Thieneman's phone ringing.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman stated, "I dapped up Roger Goodell, got the jersey and took the picture" after being selected.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman expressed his commitment to earning respect from his new teammates, stating, "I really think it starts with earning people's respect, and that's the first thing I gotta do."

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman described his experience at the draft, stating, "I was sitting in the green room with everyone and my phone started ringing when the Bears were on the clock."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman mentioned his high school trainer was present at the draft, saying, "I looked to my left and saw my high school trainer, who has trained me since I was in seventh grade."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman expressed his eagerness to start with the Bears, stating, "I can't wait to get to Chicago and start meeting my new teammates and coaches."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman emphasized his work ethic, saying, "I want them all to know they're getting a hard worker who always puts his head down."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman described receiving the call from general manager Ryan Poles, stating, "I turned back and answered the phone and just heard 'Hey, we're with the Bears, we're gonna pick you.'"

chicagobears.com - Thieneman expressed excitement about meeting Bears fans, saying, "I got to meet some of the Bears fans that were here and felt the love already."

Daily Mail NFL - The Chicago Bears made history on April 23rd, 2026, by selecting a safety in the first round for the first time in 36 years.

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman recorded 96 tackles, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions during his final college season at Oregon in 2025.

chicagobears.com - Dillon Thieneman expressed his emotions upon being drafted, stating, "All the emotions were kind of flooding once I got up, walked down the hall and got on stage."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman received a "really cool Bears chain" from fans at the draft.

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles described Thieneman as "obsessed with football" and noted his "violent speed" in tackling.

NBC Sports - The Bears had the option to select from several defenders, including Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Caleb Lomu, T.J. Parker, Kayden McDonald, and Peter Woods.

chicagobears.com - The Chicago Bears selected Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman is 6 feet tall and weighs 201 pounds.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman played in 39 games over three seasons at Purdue and Oregon, recording 306 tackles, eight interceptions, 14 pass breakups, 10.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

NBC Sports - The Bears had not selected a defensive player in the first round since Roquan Smith in 2018.

NBC Sports - The Bears ranked 29th in total defense prior to the draft.

WHERE:

chicagobears.com - The NFL Draft took place in Pittsburgh.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman previously played at Purdue and transferred to Oregon for his final college season.

WHEN:

chicagobears.com - Thieneman's college career at Purdue spanned from 2023 to 2024, and he played at Oregon in 2025.

chicagobears.com - The selection occurred on Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.

chicagobears.com - Thieneman's college career spanned from 2023 to 2025.

WHY:

NBC Sports - The Bears needed defensive help after losing key players and finishing 31st in pass-rush win rate last year.

HOW:

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles described Thieneman as "obsessed with football" and noted his "violent speed" in tackling, stating, "Dillon's tape popped out... his ability to close on the football... stood out really, really quick."

chicagobears.com - Poles emphasized Thieneman's football character, stating, "The feedback we got was incredible," and compared him to 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, noting similarities in work ethic and passion for football.

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles described Thieneman as "obsessed with football" and noted his "violent speed" in tackling.

chicagobears.com - Poles mentioned that Thieneman's aggressive play style "flies off the tape" and that he has a "knock-back element to his tackling."

chicagobears.com - Coach Ben Johnson expressed excitement about Thieneman's selection, stating, "You can feel his body language start to get excited by somebody."

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles noted Thieneman's football character, stating, "The feedback we got was incredible."

chicagobears.com - Poles compared Thieneman to 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, saying, "He's a very similar type person/player combination to what Colston was."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman stated, "I want them all to know they're getting a hard worker who always puts his head down."

chicagobears.com - General manager Ryan Poles compared Thieneman to 2025 first-round pick Colston Loveland, noting similarities in work ethic and passion for football.

chicagobears.com - Poles mentioned that Thieneman's aggressive play style "flies off the tape" and that he has a "knock-back element to his tackling."

chicagobears.com - Thieneman ran a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, showcasing his speed and versatility.

chicagobears.com - The Bears evaluated Thieneman's character and work ethic through interviews with people from his high school and college.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 05:33 UTC)

on Thursday, the Chicago Bears made a significant move in the NFL Draft by selecting Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick, marking the first time in 36 years that the team has drafted a safety in the first round. Prior to the draft, the Bears ranked 29th in total defense and had not chosen a defensive player in the first round since 2018, making Thieneman's selection a crucial step for the team's future. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman's "obsessed" attitude towards football and his "violent speed" in tackling, highlighting the positive feedback about his character and drawing comparisons to last year's first-round pick, Colston Loveland.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 03:54 UTC)

The Chicago Bears have made a significant move by selecting Dillon Thieneman, who impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, showcasing his speed and versatility. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman's "violent speed" in tackling and compared him to last year's first-round pick, Colston Loveland, highlighting their shared work ethic and passion for the game. Coach Ben Johnson expressed enthusiasm about Thieneman's potential, envisioning him teaming up with free agent acquisition Coby Bryant to create one of the NFL's fastest and most versatile safety tandems.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 01:21 UTC)

The Chicago Bears have officially selected Dillon Thieneman, who was alerted to the call by his brother Jake, excitedly saying, "Dude, dude!" after receiving the news. Thieneman, who described his experience of meeting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and getting his jersey as thrilling, emphasized his commitment to earning the respect of his new teammates. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman's "obsession with football" and "violent speed" in tackling, while coach Ben Johnson expressed enthusiasm about his selection, noting the palpable excitement in Thieneman's body language.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 23:10 UTC)

Dillon Thieneman shared his excitement about the NFL draft, recalling how his phone rang just as the Bears were on the clock, and he was thrilled to see his high school trainer in the audience, someone who has supported him since seventh grade. He expressed eagerness to join the Bears, emphasizing his strong work ethic and commitment to being a hard worker for the team. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman's football character, noting that the feedback they received was outstanding and likening him to last year's first-round pick, Colston Loveland.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 17:19 UTC)

Dillon Thieneman, who played college football at Purdue from 2023 to 2024 and at Oregon in 2025, received an exciting call from Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who informed him, "Hey, we're with the Bears, we're gonna pick you." Thieneman expressed his enthusiasm for joining the team, sharing that he felt the love from Bears fans he met, and added, "I want them all to know they're getting a hard worker who always puts his head down." Interestingly, Dillon's older brother is named Jake, highlighting a family connection as he embarks on his professional career.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 15:19 UTC)

The Chicago Bears made history on Thursday, by selecting a safety in the first round for the first time in 36 years. Dillon Thieneman, who recorded 96 tackles, seven passes defensed, and two interceptions during his final college season at Oregon in 2025, is the player chosen for this milestone. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman, comparing him to last year's first-round pick Colston Loveland, highlighting their similar work ethic and passion for the game.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 07:30 UTC)

Dillon Thieneman expressed his excitement after being drafted by the Chicago Bears, saying that all his emotions flooded in as he walked on stage. General manager Ryan Poles praised Thieneman's aggressive play style and noted his impressive tackling speed, while director of college scouting Breck Ackley highlighted his exceptional range and performance at the combine. Fans welcomed Thieneman with a special Bears chain, adding to the excitement of his new journey with the team.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 05:50 UTC)

on Thursday, the Chicago Bears selected Dillon Thieneman, a safety from Oregon, with the 25th overall pick in the NFL Draft held in Pittsburgh. Thieneman, who stands six feet tall and weighs 201 pounds, had an impressive college career, recording 306 tackles and eight interceptions over three seasons at Purdue and Oregon, and he showcased his speed by running a 4.35 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. The Bears, who ranked 29th in total defense and lost key players during the offseason, were in need of defensive help and had not selected a defensive player in the first round since Roquan Smith in 2018.