The Dillon Thieneman-Coby Bryant dynamic is going to be fun to follow in 2026.
In 2025, the Chicago Bears safety tandem of Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker was solid. Byard put forth an All-Pro season and led the NFL in interceptions. Brisker was good, too, contributing by making plays all over the field and having his healthiest season since 2023. And yet, the team made the tough decision to go in an entirely new direction at safety for the 2026 season. It is a roll of the dice, to be sure. But I am on board with the risk here because the juice could be worth the squeeze if the new starting safeties mesh early.
2026 BEARS TRAINING CAMP: Meet the New Look Safeties Room
For what it’s worth, I am optimistic that Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman will work well together. And I don’t think there will be much time wasted in getting the two up to speed with what it is like to work together. Thieneman was taking first-team reps during the team’s mandatory minicamp practices in June. Plus, it sounds like Bryant is already taking the rookie under his wing.
May 22, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Bears first-round draft pick Dillon Thieneman throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Cubs and Astros at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesRookie Dillon Thieneman Has Caught Coby Bryant’s Eye
This bit of Dillon Thieneman praise from Coby Bryant (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) is something I’ve been thinking about for a while:
“Once he sees something he recognizes, he makes a play right away. That’s the biggest thing, especially playing safety in this defense as well. He’s had a great spring. I know he’ll continue to grow.”
I love that Bryant shares what his rookie running mate in the defensive secondary was doing well at camp. It gives us a window into how things are progressing. Plus, I’m convinced positive reinforcement works. I imagine that Thieneman feels good hearing from a veteran teammate (one who is fresh off winning a Super Bowl with his previous team, the Seattle Seahawks) about what you’re doing well. It certainly makes me feel good about the chances of Thieneman hitting the ground running as a rookie.
COBY BRYANT IS READY TO SHARE SOME ADVICE WITH DILLON THIENEMAN
Using their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to take Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman was a bold move. Sure, the team had needs at other positions that could have been addressed with the selection. But it’s not as if the front office didn’t fill a major hole by drafting Thieneman. Adding the first-team All-American safety bolstered the Bears’ secondary by adding an injection of speed and versatility, which were two elements that were missing from the 2025 team’s defensive unit. Thieneman’s arrival doesn’t solve all of Chicago’s defensive woes, but his presence should help bridge the gap.
Dillon Thieneman (31) stretches during Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn ImagesAs for Coby Bryant, I like that he is taking on a leadership role immediately upon his landing in Chicago. One of the things I was afraid of when Kevin Byard III left for the New England Patriots was the loss of leadership on defense, particularly in the defensive backfield. Not only was Byard someone who had been around the block, but he was also an impact player. Guys who can lead with their voice and by example don’t grow on trees. So that the Bears were able to sign someone who was an impact player on a Super Bowl winner who is entering his prime playing years isn’t something that is lost on me.
There is no doubt in my mind that Dillon Thieneman will be the other starting safety with Coby Bryant when the Bears kick off their regular-season schedule with a Week 1 showdown against the Carolina Panthers. Elijah Hicks and Cam Lewis will get some reps. And they should! Everyone should get reps so they can become familiar with each other. After all, there are six (!) new safeties at Halas Hall at the start of training camp. But in the end, it’ll be Thieneman and Bryant getting the lion’s share of the work. And if they live up to their potential, that tandem could be one of the league’s best.
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