The 2026 NFL Draft is upon us, and the Chicago Bears are gearing up for the second day of action following a busy and chaotic first night.
The Bears landed a steal with the selection of Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, who was expected to go much higher and fell right into Chicago's lap. While safety was a pressing need heading into the draft -- especially after Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker exiting in free agency -- no one expected Thieneman to be there at No. 25. Now, the Bears pair free-agent addition Coby Bryant with a young, versatile and playmaking safety in Thieneman.
But Day 2 is also shaping up to be an important day for the Bears. Chicago has three selections -- two second round picks (including one from the DJ Moore trade with the Buffalo Bills) and another third rounder. With some big names still on the board -- including defensive tackle Kayden McDonald and edge rushers T.J. Parker, Zion Young and Gabe Jacas -- there will be opportunities for general manager Ryan Poles to capitalize.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)MADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)EVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)EUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn ImagesNov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesOregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.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.1 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)1 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)2 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images3 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images4 / 19When Chicago Bears are picking on Day 2 of 2026 NFL DraftApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman is selected by the Chicago Bears as the number 25 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images5 / 19WATCH: Dillon Thieneman gets call from Bears on draft nightPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon celebrates after being selected twenty-fifth overall pick by the Chicago Bears during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)6 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 23: Dillon Thieneman of Oregon arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)7 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyMADISON, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 05: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Purdue Boilermakers fumbles a punt in the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)8 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyEVANSTON, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 13: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in action against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)9 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetySEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 29: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks reacts after beating the Washington Huskies at Husky Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)10 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 01: Terrance Carter Jr. #7 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a catch defended by Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks in the second quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 01, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)11 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 26: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Draft Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 26, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)12 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)13 / 19Bears safety Dillon Thieneman outran Justin Jefferson in 40-yard dashINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 27: Dillon Thieneman of the Oregon Ducks participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)14 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyEUGENE, OREGON - MARCH 17: Dillon Thieneman #31 of the Oregon Ducks looks on during Oregon Ducks Pro Day at Moshofsky Center on March 17, 2026 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)15 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyPurdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) and Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Antonio Stevens (11) tackle Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Jack Lausch (12) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.16 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyNov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Joseph Himon II (6) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images17 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyNov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images18 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyOregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman carries the ball as the Oregon Ducks practice on Jan. 5, 2025, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon, ahead of the Peach Bowl.19 / 19Bears draft Dillon Thieneman: Photos of Chicago's new safetyOregon 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.With that in mind, here's where the Bears will be picking on Day 2:
Assuming Chicago stays put where they're at, here's a look at when to expect the Bears to submit their selections on Day 2 (based on when players were selected at those exact spots):
General manager Ryan Poles still has some work ahead of him when it comes to shoring up the defensive line, both edge rusher and defensive tackle, as well as finding potential upgrades at center, left tackle and cornerback.
Then there's always the prospect of a trade up or trade back scenario, something we've seen from Poles in the past. But he's also made it clear that the board looks good heading into Day 2, and it sounds Chicago is ready to capitalize.
The 2026 NFL Draft continues tonight at 7 p.m. ET and concludes Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: When the Bears will be picking on Day 2