Sunday’s Week 1 victory in Carolina offered plenty to discuss. Unfortunately for Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, much of the good was on the other side of the ball. Allen’s defense was torched for 37 points and 486 yards.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young completed 23-of-37 for 361 yards, three touchdowns, and a 110.3 passer rating. Allen’s two veteran cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, were bad by any measurement. They allowed an opposing passer rating of 113.7 and 158.3, respectively (yes, Stevenson’s passer rating against was literally perfect through the offensive lens), and the bad was all over the tape.
Johnson and Stevenson will have to be significantly better, and quickly. But it wasn’t all bad. The rookies in the secondary actually had pretty good debuts.
Rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad was inserted into the starting nickel role, with Cam Lewis shifting to safety after Xavier Woods was inactive with a groin injury, and Muhammad held Young to a 55.6 percent completion rate and a 39.8 passer rating when targeted. He also logged three tackles, two passes defended, and his first career interception.
“He played really good football for his first day as well,” Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson said of Muhammad on Monday. “Sticky in coverage, competed his tail off, fearless. Was really proud of what he put on tape.”
Malik Muhammad’s first ever start at slot corner. What a play. Physical with make up speed. Good combo. #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/HB6Y798lbO
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) September 13, 2026Bears Rookies Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammad Were the Best Part of a Bad Day in Week 1
Fellow rookie Dillon Thieneman also turned in a solid performance in his NFL debut, racking up a team-high 10 tackles, a pass defended, and a quarterback hit. Thieneman’s performance earned him a game ball from his head coach, and more praise on Monday.
“Dillon had a great start to his career. I thought he was all over the field,” Johnson said. “Point in case, though, he was all over the place, did a great job stopping the football when he had an opportunity to do so.”
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs with the ball while defended by Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman (31) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesWhen we previewed the season and the Carolina matchup on last week’s episode of the BN Bears Podcast, Luis Medina said he felt Allen would use Thieneman in a variety of ways this season, deploying him in multiple spots on the field. Matt Rooney noted that every successful Allen defense previously has featured a player who has almost a positionless role, an “Agent of Chaos” of sorts.
The tape from Sunday’s contest in Charlotte supported that idea, with Thieneman lining up everywhere. Here’s a breakdown of his snaps:
Free Safety (37 snaps) Box (20 snaps) Slot (7 snaps) Defensive Line (3 snaps) Corner (1 snap)In all of that, Thieneman allowed two receptions on three targets for 22 yards against the Panthers. Numbers and snap charts only go so far. Here’s what it looked like when the Panthers actually went at him.
Here’s a play from the first quarter, where the Panthers challenged Thieneman early, isolating him in man coverage against tight end Mitchell Evans in the slot on the left side of the field. Evans runs a wheel route to the outside, and the outside receiver runs a slant, intended to create a rub that would knock Thieneman off the tight end, but Thieneman doesn’t get caught in it, stays with Evans, and leaves no room for a catch on the throw to the back corner of the end zone.
I watched all of Dillon Thieneman's snaps from the Bears' Week 1 win over the Panthers. Here are some of the plays that stood out. Thieneman in coverage on the tight end. Nowhere to throw to. pic.twitter.com/bAxm1oJSeQ
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) September 14, 2026Here’s another good play by Thieneman in the first quarter, this time getting downhill to defend a screen to running back Chuba Hubbard. Thieneman shows off his speed, closing about 10 yards of ground between recognition and the tackle, and shedding a blocker along the way.
Bears safety Dillon Thieneman defends the screen pass on third down. pic.twitter.com/xxuASrK4PL
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) September 14, 2026Early in the fourth quarter, Thieneman does a good job of getting to Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who had beaten cornerback Jaylon Johnson on an in-breaking route. While Thieneman made initial contact with McMillan, Johnson, who stayed in pursuit, punched the football out and created a takeaway for the Bears.
Bears safety Dillon Thieneman helping force a turnover on this play. pic.twitter.com/ouWdkMvtJn
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) September 14, 2026That last play is the whole day in miniature. Jaylon Johnson got beat, which happened plenty on Sunday, but he stayed with it and knocked the ball loose anyway, and the rookie was already there to make sure the play got made. The veterans have to be better, no question. But if Sunday was any indication, Allen might have found two rookies who make the fixing a little easier.
Hence then, the article about dillon thieneman and malik muhammad were the best part of a bad day for the bears defense was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Dillon Thieneman and Malik Muhammad Were the Best Part of a Bad Day for the Bears Defense )
Also on site :