The draft didn’t go the Bears‘ in the search for an offensive tackle, but the run at that position slid some good options their way elsewhere, and they chose Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the No. 25 pick Thursday.
Thieneman was the second-ranked safety in the draft and was the second chosen. It’s the first time the Bears have picked a safety in the first round since Mark Carrier in 1990.
They were looking for a starting safety after veterans Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker left in free agency this year. They added former Seahawks standout Coby Bryant in free agency, but it was going to be an open competition among unproven options for the other spot.
Nonetheless, it was somewhat of a surprising choice given that safety isn’t a premium position and they’d already made a major investment in Bryant. The Bears still have significant needs to address at offensive tackle, defensive tackle and defensive end, and they don’t pick again until the second round at Nos. 57 and 60 overall Friday.
The Bears chose tight end Colston Loveland from Michigan in the first round last year with the No. 10 overall pick, and he had a strong rookie season with a team-high 58 catches for 713 yards and six touchdowns.
The year before, they picked twice in the top 10 thanks to their 2023 trade with the Panthers, and came away with quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 and wide receiver Rome Odunze at No. 9.
The No. 25 pick was the Bears’ latest selection in the first round since 2011, when they chose offensive lineman Gabe Carimi 29th overall. He lasted two years with the team before it traded him to the Buccaneers for a sixth-round pick.