Thieneman’s Path to Starting Safety | Chicago Bears News

Chicago Bears News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 10, 2026 · 1m

The Chicago Bears pulled off a surprise with their first-round pick—drafting safety Dillon Thieneman from Oregon—but don’t expect him to start right away. Though he’s a perfect fit for their scheme and fills a major need after losing key safeties, veteran Cam Lewis, with starting experience, is also in the mix. The coaching staff has a history of letting rookies earn their roles, not just hand them starting jobs. Thieneman’s early work with the second-team defense signals a battle for the spot. While he’s likely to see snaps Week 1, Lewis could get the nod if Thieneman struggles to adapt in…