‘This guy’s obsessed with football’: How a narrower draft board led the Chicago Bears to Dillon Thieneman

New Bears safety Dillon Thieneman holds a jersey during his introductory news conference at Halas Hall, April 24, 2026, in Lake Forest. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

New Chicago Bears safety Dillon Thieneman speaks after being introduced at Halas Hall in Lake Forest on April 24, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

New Bears safety Dillon Thieneman speaks at an introductory news conference at Halas Hall on April 24, 2026, in Lake Forest. The Bears selected the Oregon product with the No. 25 pick in the NFL draft. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman celebrates with fans after the Bears selected him with the No. 25 pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman celebrates with fans after the Bears selected him with the No. 25 pick in the NFL on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman poses after being chosen by the Bears with the 25th pick of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Bears with the 25th pick of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman walks on stage after the Bears selected him with the 25th pick in the NFL draft on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Emilee Chinn/Getty)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman greets NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Bears with the 25th pick during the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman, center, celebrates in the green room after the Bears selected him with the 25th pick during in the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman talks on the phone in the green room after the Bears selected him with the 25th pick in the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Doug Benc/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Carnell Tate, left, of Ohio State and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon clap on stage during the first round of the NFL draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh. (Emilee Chinn/Getty)

Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman poses on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

(Left to right): Kayden McDonald of Ohio State, Kadyn Proctor of Alabama, Arvell Reese of Ohio State, Ty Simpson of Alabama, Sonny Styles of Ohio State, Carnell Tate of Ohio State and Dillon Thieneman of Oregon pose on stage before the first round of the NFL draft on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (Emilee Chinn/Getty)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman runs a drill at the NFL combine on Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman participates in a drill during the NFL scouting combine Feb. 27, 2026, in Indianapolis. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman plays against Rutgers on Oct. 18, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, left, tackles Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) attempts to hurdle Oregon defensive backs Dillon Thieneman (31) and Jadon Canady, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Lydia Ely)

Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman calls to teammates during the first half against Montana State on Aug. 30, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. (Lydia Ely/AP)