The NFL is a completely different animal than college football, but that’s not expected to stop former Oregon Ducks star safety Dillon Thieneman from making an immediate impact with the Chicago Bears in 2026.
Per ESPN’s projections, he’s expected to fall just short of the 92 tackles that he totaled last season with the Ducks, coming in with 82 tackles across the NFL’s 17-game season. That ends up tied for fourth among all rookies, with Dallas Cowboys and former Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs also projected to record 82 tackles.
“The most tackles by a rookie safety over the past decade is 147 by Jalen Pitre in 2022,” ESPN’s Mike Clay wrote. “Only 12 others reached 80 during that span, with three hitting 100. First-rounders Downs and Thieneman are positioned as every-down starters in Dallas and Chicago, respectively. Both should put up solid tackle numbers in Year 1.”
As the 25th pick in the first round, it shouldn’t be unexpected to see Thieneman on the field early and often for the Bears. But compounding that sentiment is the fact that both of Chicago’s starting safeties from 2025, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, signed with other teams in free agency.
The Bears signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, but the spot opposite him was vacant prior to the draft, thus allowing Thieneman to compete for the spot and potentially begin Week 1 as the starter.
Along with amassing 82 tackles and tying for fourth among rookies, ESPN’s projections also have him finishing fourth in interceptions with 1.8, largely due to the wide-open safety depth chart for the Bears. If Thieneman lives up to ESPN’s projected stats and Chicago accomplishes their goals of winning the NFC North, making the playoffs for the second consecutive season, don’t be surprised to see the former Duck’s name in Pro Bowl conversation as a rookie.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Former Duck Dillon Thieneman’s projected stats with Bears in 2026