Bears GM Ryan Poles praises rookie Dillon Thieneman's character traits

When selecting safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears not only fulfilled a need for their roster at the position, but they also found a player who represents what they want to do on the field and is a good character fit. Thieneman will join a new-look secondary led by free-agent splash signing Coby Bryant, coming off a Super Bowl championship, giving Chicago a championship caliber leader to pair with their highly-touted rookie who fell to them in the first round of the draft. After the first round, Bears general manager Ryan Poles spoke glowingly of Thieneman, not only for his fit in Dennis Allen's defense but for the character traits he has as a football player and where he feels the rookie can thrive.

Poles went all the way back to his high school days, touting the former Mr. Football in the state of Indiana, and he believes the character traits resembles what the Bears saw in last year's first round pick, tight end Colston Loveland. "It's off the charts," Poles said.

"We have so many good sources in terms of guys that he's played with. That's all the way from Westfield High School, all the way to Oregon. And the feedback that we got was incredible.

I think one of our guys -- probably (Director of College Scouting) Breck (Ackley) came down and talked to you. I don't know if he mentioned it. We had talked about this is a similar type person, player, combination to what Colston was.