The Chicago Bears are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with flexibility at No. 25, but their decision may come down to upside versus certainty. While defensive tackle and edge rusher remain priority needs, the secondary has quietly become just as important, particularly at safety alongside Coby Bryant.
One projected scenario has Chicago sliding back a single spot in a deal with the Buffalo Bills. The benefit is twofold. The Bears could recover the fifth-round selection they previously sent away in the DJ Moore trade and still remain in range for a top-tier defensive back. In that setup, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman becomes a logical target.
Thieneman’s profile aligns with what the defense currently lacks. Across three seasons at Purdue and Oregon, he recorded 306 tackles and eight interceptions. His 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine ranked fourth among safeties, reinforcing his range and recovery ability.
“General manager Ryan Poles should be happy to regain his fifth-round pick from Buffalo while moving down just one spot,” Reuter wrote. “The move ensures he can land the athletic Thieneman, who’ll join Coby Bryant in replacing departed starting safeties, Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard.”
Even if the board doesn’t fall their way, Chicago appears positioned to address safety early.
Trade-up buzz adds pressure to Chicago Bears draft strategy
At the same time, a far more aggressive option has surfaced. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell outlined a deal that would send the Bears from No. 25 to No. 11 in a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The proposed exchange includes Chicago receiving picks 1-11, 5-151, 7-227, and a 2027 fifth-rounder, while Miami would gain picks 1-25, 2-57, and a 2027 second-round selection.
The logic behind such a move centers on pass-rush help. If prospects like David Bailey, Rueben Bain Jr., or Arvell Reese slide beyond the top 10, Chicago could justify a climb.
“Though moving from No. 25 to No. 18 wasn't a drastic jump, going from 25 to 11 would be a much more significant climb,” Barnwell wrote. “This would really make sense only if one of the top pass-rush prospects… fall out of the top 10.”
From a value standpoint, the deal is not unrealistic. Chicago’s outgoing 2026 picks equal 1,050 points on the draft chart, while Miami’s package totals 1,282. A future second-rounder would help balance the gap.
Still, risk remains. The Bears have struggled historically to develop elite edge rushers, raising questions about whether sacrificing future assets is justified. “The issue here… is the Bears have been unable to draft and develop a high-caliber edge rusher,” Brad Biggs said.
With Miami already holding 11 selections, including two first-rounders, a drop to No. 25 seems unlikely. That leaves Chicago weighing patience against aggression, with their final call shaping both their defense and long-term roster trajectory.
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