Ben Johnson Had the Best Reaction to the Dillon Thieneman Pick

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson reacted intensely in the draft room after GM Ryan Poles chose Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick. Johnson banged the table and celebrated the selection, calling out “Thieneman” to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The pick capped a safety room rebuild that began with the March free-agent signing of Coby Bryant. Poles said Allen expressed strong enthusiasm, emphasizing that he “loved” the player. Allen, entering his second season, worked with the roster he inherited during the previous year. Chicago’s earlier draft focus included offensive additions, followed by the Thieneman selection when he became available at No. 25. OTAs resume at Halas Hall the following week.

"“Thieneman! Thienemen, DA!” Johnson told his defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen. The Thieneman selection was the exclamation point on the safety room rebuild that began with the free-agent signing of Coby Bryant in March. Seeing Johnson's excitement that the Bears were able to land a player of Thieneman's caliber for their defense was cool. And according to Ryan Poles, Allen was just as pleased."

"“When we took Dillon [Thieneman], I remember [Allen] walking up to me and saying, 'I love this player.'" Poles said. "Not, I like this player, I love this player.”"

"Allen, entering his second season as Chicago's defensive coordinator, made do with what he inherited last season. Chicago's first NFL Draft under the Poles-Johnson regime was heavy on offense, with Johnson getting two weapons in Colston Loveland and an tackle in Ozzy Trapilo before the Bears selected Shemar Turner with their fourth pick of the draft. When the board fell Chicago's way, and Thieneman was there at No. 25, the choice to take him was easy for Poles and the rest of his team."

"The Bears are back to work this week when OTAs resume at Halas Hall tomorrow. But before the three-day camp begins, you can watch the latest episode of 1920 Football Drive when it airs tonight at 7 p.m. CT on the Bears YouTube channel."

Read at Bleacher Nation