In the primary spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears used their No. 25 total choice to improve the protection place with Dillon Thieneman out of Oregon.
With all of the pre-draft hypothesis 12 months in and 12 months out, Chicago, in contrast to a number of groups, opted to merely let the board fall to them and had been in a position to land a participant that many did not assume can be accessible when their choose got here round.
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Thieneman will now play alongside the workforce’s large free-agent signing in (*5*) of their remade secondary, as the 2 hope to fulfill what the entrance workplace and training workers had been on the lookout for in upgrading the protection this offseason.
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being chosen twenty-fifth total choose by the Chicago Bears throughout 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 security
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being chosen twenty-fifth total choose by the Chicago Bears throughout 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 security
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive again Dillon Thieneman is chosen by the Chicago Bears because the quantity 25 choose throughout 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 security
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive again Dillon Thieneman poses on the crimson carpet earlier than the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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5 things to know about new Bears’ Dillon Thieneman
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive again Dillon Thieneman is chosen by the Chicago Bears because the quantity 25 choose throughout the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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WATCH: Dillon Thieneman will get name from Bears on draft night time
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being chosen twenty-fifth total choose by the Chicago Bears throughout 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 security
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)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
MADISON, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt within the first quarter in opposition to the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in motion in opposition to the Northwestern Wildcats throughout the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
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)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
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 within the second quarter throughout the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal on the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media throughout the 2026 NFL Draft Combine on the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill throughout 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 security Dillon Thieneman outran Justin Jefferson in 40-yard sprint
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates within the 40-yard sprint throughout 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 security
EUGENE, OREGON – MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks appears to be like on throughout Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
Purdue Boilermakers defensive again Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive again Antonio Stevens (11) sort out Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, throughout the NCAA soccer recreation at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats working again Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive again Dillon Thieneman (31) throughout the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive again Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a cross in opposition to the Washington Huskies throughout the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
Oregon defensive again Dillon Thieneman carries the ball because the Oregon Ducks apply on Jan. 5, 2025, on the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, forward of the Peach Bowl.
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Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago’s new security
Oregon defensive again Dillon Thieneman, proper, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton because the Oregon Ducks tackle the Texas Tech Red Raiders within the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Now headed to the Windy City, listed below are 5 things to know about Thieneman:
Thieneman break up his faculty profession between Purdue and Oregon
After two seasons with Purdue, Thieneman transferred to Oregon forward of the 2025 season and left his mark on each packages. Despite solely taking part in two seasons at Purdue, Thieneman’s affect was felt from the very starting, the place he set faculty data each in interceptions and solo tackles as a real freshman.
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Thieneman was named First-team All-Big Ten in a single season at Oregon
During his lone season as a member of the Ducks, Thieneman had a season that elevated his draft inventory, which in the end led him to being a primary spherical draft selection. In the 2025 season, Thieneman completed the 12 months with 96 tackles and two interceptions, whereas additionally grading at a 91.0 on the PFF-grading scale for all defensive backs in faculty soccer.
Thieneman is quicker than some high NFL large receivers
Thieneman had the Eleventh-fastest 40-yard sprint time of all gamers at this 12 months’s NFL Scouting Combine again in February, with a 4.35 official time. That time was ok to see him outrun a number of notable premier large receivers at the moment within the NFL, together with Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs.
Thieneman made Big 10 historical past as a real freshman
Going again to his time at Purdue, Thieneman made historical past by being the primary ever defensive participant in Big Ten convention historical past to earn a weekly award 5 instances in a single 12 months. Thieneman’s stellar play as a real freshman noticed him win the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award 5 instances, a convention file. He additionally set Purdue data with 74 tackles and 6 interceptions throughout his freshman 12 months.
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Thieneman was Mr. Football in state of Indiana throughout his highschool days
Understandably, Thieneman went to Purdue after showcasing himself throughout the state of Indiana, the place he would win Mr. Football whereas taking part in for Westfield High School in Indiana. Thieneman could not get his workforce a championship, as they completed as runner-up twice however showcased his potential to be a pure clear tackler with over 250 tackles throughout his highschool days. From Mr. Football in Indiana to Purdue, after which to Oregon, Thieneman is effectively skilled, effectively traveled, and extremely proficient courting again to when he was simply getting his soccer profession began.
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