A look at four Chicago Bears rookies who are going to be thrown into the fire and play significant roles in the Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

Bears rookie Dillon Thieneman explained how he's adjusted to playing without Coby Bryant and with his new teammates Cam Lewis and Xavier Woods.

One ESPN analyst has Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman as a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. @kdthompson5 explores here:

The preseason journey continued over the weekend for several former Oregon Ducks now NFL rookies. Chicago safety Dillon Thieneman, the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, started again for the Bears on Saturday and had two assisted tackles in 14 defensive snaps in a 27-9 loss at Cincinnati.

Thieneman has progressed well at strong safety, playing in the box against the run and taking on tight ends one-on-one in pass coverage, and looks ready for the season.

Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, brings down Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Credit: Ben Lonergan/The ...

Bears rookies Dillon Thieneman and Sam Roush will both fulfill a lifelong dream Sunday in Charlotte when they play in their first NFL regular-season game.

Dillon Thieneman has history working against him in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year race, but it’s hard to ignore this enticing long shot. Thieneman owns 35/1 odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook,