ESPN analyst lists Bears safety Dillon Thieneman as rookie award candidate

Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman has been named a candidate for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by an ESPN analyst. The 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft moves into a starting role following a training camp injury to Coby Bryant. Analysts identified Thieneman as a strong safety capable of high tackle output based on his college performance where he recorded 94 tackles. The selection places him behind Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles and New York Giants defender Arvell Reese in preseason projections. While no safety has won the award since Mark Carrier in 1990, the analyst noted Thieneman’s speed and box versatility as factors for his inclusion. He joins a Chicago defense looking for production as the team enters the new season.

• 4:00 PMYahoo Sports — Bears Dillon Thieneman gets surprise nod as possible Defensive Rookie of the Year from ESPN