Chicago Bears Draft: Dillon Thieneman Press Conference Recap

Hello, Chicago Bears fans! Welcome to week one post-2026 NFL Draft. We have seen the Bears take seven players in the NFL Draft across six rounds. So, who are these guys, and what did they have to say after they were drafted by the Chicago Bears? I will be recapping what each player’s reaction to being drafted by the Bears was and what else they had to say in the moment this week. I will paraphrase the questions and answers as best I can, rather than providing an exact transcript, but I’ll be as exact as I can.

First up is our first-round pick, the safety out of Oregon, Dillon Thieneman.

First Round Pick Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Oregon at #25 overall – Press Conference

Question: How do you feel about suddenly being in Chicago for the next step in your career?

DT: It’s been a great experience. Going to the events in Pittsburgh [associated with the 2026 NFL Draft] has been incredible and I’m happy to be here.

Question: How did it feel walking down that corridor, knowing you’ve been drafted by an iconic franchise?

DT: I know this team has a lot of history. It’s been awesome to see that displayed in the building. I’m happy to get in and get to work.

Question: How do you feel about growing up for a bit in Chicago?

DT: I know a little bit. I was young when we were Bears but I’m excited to learn more.  We were Colts when I grew up but the Bears were in there.

Question: There were reports you connected with the Bears at the Combine. Can you speak on that?

DT: Yeah, overall, I thought there was positive energy going around. They asked me background questions, talked about film, and had me get on the white board a little bit.

Question: You said yesterday you were surprised to be picked by the Bears, since there had not been a lot of contact since the Combine. Did you have a point on the board circled you thought you might be going before the Bears pick?

DT: I had some ideas, but I just prayed I got to the right spot, and I think this was the right spot. The Bears showed their interest through a lot of avenues, and then it all worked out in the end.

Question: Dillon – when you made your transfer from Purdue to Oregon – what were you envisioning and what do you think you accomplished by that move?

DT: Going into Oregon, I had the goal that I would play one year and then go to the NFL.  I wanted to give everything I had so if I decided to stay at Purdue, it was right, and if I decided to go to Oregon, it was right as well.  As for accomplishments I think we accomplished a lot – I know we came up short – but I made some great connections with coaches and teammates I know I will have for the rest of my life.

Question: It sounded like the coaches were tough on you at Oregon, even in recruiting you as a transfer, how did that make you better?

DT: A lot of schools try to sugar coat it in recruiting, but in talking with Oregon, they didn’t sugar coat it. They told me that they thought I was a good player, but they identified what I needed to work on and they told me this is how we can get you better. They used examples of how they had developed guys in the past and showed how I could follow in their footsteps. Made it a very easy decision.

Question: What do you remember from your high school days and what Coach Jake Gilbert taught you – he said you outran guys in youth football?

DT: Coach Gilbert always liked talking about TNTs, Tank, No Talents, it’s always effort and attitude, so running the ball is about effort, no matter what your talent is.

Question: So, Gilbert also said your Dad told you “skate to where the puck is going to be.” What’s your interpretation of that?

DT: I don’t remember that as much but my thought on that is about – what is your feel for the game.  How is the pocket moving?  What are they trying to attack? Just be aggressive to the point of attack.

Question: You talked about the studies you put into your role and the roles of the defense. Where does your passion for football come from?  What makes you put in the work?

DT: It starts with that four-year-old me, looking at the TV, thinking that’s going to be me out there. But then it goes into seeing my family and my brothers do it. Seeing how my parents work in their businesses. And watching my brothers out on the field and wanting to be out there with them. I’m someone, if I really love something, I’m going to put all my energy, all my work into it.

Question: Are you able to use that kind of perspective understanding and appreciating this moment?

DT: I know this is a once in a lifetime moment, so you just got to take it all in. Just enjoy it.

Question: How did playing the rover role at Oregon prepare you for what you are about to do in the NFL?

DT: That position allows you to play fast. You can be aggressive in the run game just because of the distance I am from the line of scrimmage. And then in the pass game, you’re in the middle of the field, which is the area where the offensive most likes to target. That allowed me a lot more opportunities to get around the ball and get more experience. It exposed me to what the offense is trying to show me, in terms of formations and situations, and what they’re trying to attack.

Question:  Ryan Poles said last night that the way you play – it takes the oxygen out of an offense. Is there a play from college where you felt that energy – you felt that same – where you completely decimated what they were doing?

DT:  Um, well one of them is the Penn State game – just at the end of the game – it’s a white out game with college game day and the stadium’s going super loud – double overtime – and then to get the pick and everything goes silent. I could hear all of the Oregon fans and my family yelling up in the stands – so that one was awesome.

Question: How do you calculate when to take risk, as a defender, and when to just stay sound and stick with your responsibility?

DT: I think that just comes more with experience – so, experience watching the game, experience playing going against certain teams – certain offenses – and playing different defensive schemes and trusting the guys around you. I can’t tell you this or that – it’s more a feel for the situation.

Question: Going back to your family, how do you think the youngest of three brothers shaped you athletically, maybe as a competitor?

DT: It definitely helped me. They were a good amount of years older than me. So to see what they were doing – kind of teaching it and applying it to me – so I got it at a much younger age that other people would have gotten it – or that they got at their age. I felt like that sped up my development.

Question: What do you remember about facing Colston Loveland when you are at Perdue?

DT:   I know that they won. They won a lot of games. But no, he’s an extremely talented player. I didn’t get to match up with him specifically in that game because of our defensive scheme, but I know he’s a great player.

Question: So, JJ McCarthy too – he’s now in your division – depending on what happens there he may start for them.  Do you have any memory of him?

DT:  Not a whole lot, but I can’t wat to face him again.

Question: Having been in the Pacific Northwest, how much did you watch Kobe Bryant – and now getting a chance to play alongside him and learn from him with the Bears?

DT: I wasn’t able to watch a whole lot of him, but, I’m very excited for the chance to get to learn from him and to work with him.

Question: Did you have a favorite player growing up or somebody you tried to emulate your game after?

DT: I really liked watching – or going back and watching once I was older, Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. And then currently I like watching various players around the league. So I like to kind of take a little bit – see where I can learn something – and then kind of make it my own.

Question: Have you heard from any of your new teammates over the last 24 hours?

DT: Yeah, Colston texted me right away. I’m sure someone else has texted me, but I haven’t been able to go through them all.

Question: What did Colston tell you?

 DT: He was just like, Yo, glad to have you on the team, can’t wait to get to work. Let me know if you need anything.  

Question: What’s been your interaction so far with either Ben or Dennis Allen?

DT: Yeah, I just had a few meetings with them. It was great meetings just sitting down talking about how they see my role in the team and what they think we can do.

So what do you think about the press conference with the Chicago Bears first round draft pick, the safety out of Oregon, Dillon Thieneman?  Tell us in the comments below!