Dillon Thieneman isn’t the solution to the Chicago Bears’ pass-rush problems, but his arrival could help out a ton.
The Bears struggled to create pressure with their front four in 2025. And after not swinging a major trade, making a big splash in free agency, or using an early draft pick to address the issues, more of the same looks to be on the horizon in 2026. But that isn’t to say Chicago’s defense won’t be able to dial it up this upcoming season. And if they can pull it off, you will likely be able to thank the first-round rookie for his efforts.
This is what Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen had to say about the newest piece he will get to play around with as Chicago’s defensive play-caller:
“Obviously, you can see his athleticism on tape, but I just think the biggest thing was he found his way around the ball a lot. And to be able to do that, there has to be some intelligence about him, and there has to be some instincts about him. And I think that was the first thing.
When you’re looking at college safeties or safeties in general, it’s a production position. And that production can come in a lot of different ways, whether it’s tackles or interceptions or PBUs or any of those types of things. But safety is a position that you find your way around the ball, the best ones do, and I thought that showed up with him.”
For more from the Bears’ DC on Dillon Thieneman and other topics, you can watch his full press conference below:
Dillon Thieneman and Dennis Allen Discuss the Rookie’s Role in 2026
Adding players who have speed and versatility in spades was at the core of the Chicago Bears’ offseason roster-building philosophy. For instance, those traits show up in a big way for free-agent safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush. So it should come as no surprise that Chicago’s front office zeroed in on Dillon Thieneman, whose speed allowed him to make plays on the ball at every level. Whether it was his ability to close in on receivers in coverage or run down ball carriers, Thieneman’s tape shows a knack for being in and around the action.
As for the versatility, Dillon Thieneman is still working on rounding out that part of his game. Patrick Finley’s Sun-Times story notes that Thieneman is working primarily as a strong safety, but was also dabbling as a free safety during the team’s rookie minicamp. And this quote via Yahoo! Sports sheds even more light on the Bears’ plans for Thieneman.
“They want me to know both positions, and kind of just know all of the DB positions,” Thieneman said. “As of right now, I’m playing strong safety, still understanding what the free safety is doing.”
Bears 1st round pick Dillon Thieneman. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesLet me be clear. Trying to generate pressure with your defensive backs isn’t an ideal way to go about things in 2026. But because Chicago’s DC has a history of getting creative with players in his secondary, I am willing to allow the long-time coaching wizard to see his vision through. We saw this defense dial up some fun moments with players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jaquan Brisker in the secondary. But with all due respect to them, I am curious to see what it will look like when younger and more athletic defenders are placed in those roles.
Perhaps Dillon Thieneman can play a role similar to what Tyrann Mathieu played for the New Orleans Saints in 2023. In what turned out to be Dennis Allen’s final year as the Saints’ head coach, Mathieu collected four interceptions, nine passes defended, and 75 total tackles while playing in all 17 games. Pro Football Focus had him down for an 81.3 overall grade (11th of 99 safeties) that was highlighted by an impressive 87.4 coverage grade (7th best at the position) and a respectable 71.1 run defense grade (34th/99).
What stands out about that particular season for the Honey Badger is that he played a little bit of everywhere, mostly at free safety (565 snaps), but also as a box defender (354), in the slot (88), and even out wide (11) at cornerback. I don’t want to put too much on Dillon Thieneman’s plate as a rookie, but I can see him thriving in a role where he is deployed in so many different ways and positions that it keeps opposing offenses on their heels.
In the end, I am reminded of how Dennis Allen spoke of Kyler Gordon when he first got into town. Allen viewed Gordon as a versatile playmaker who could be a difference-maker defending the pass and the run. Health issues kept Gordon off the field for most of the 2025 season, but we did get a glimpse at what it could look like with the talented DB during the postseason. Dillon Thieneman doesn’t have a lengthy track record of injury concerns, which makes me even more excited about what could be in store for him as a rookie. And I imagine his defensive play-caller feels similarly after the team’s rookie minicamp.
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