Before he was a first-round draft pick, Dillon Thieneman was a kid with a relentless drive to compete. Raised in a family where football was a way of life, Dillon was shaped by his two older brothers who spent years coaching, mentoring and pushing him to become the best version of himself. That foundation fueled an unwavering work ethic and a plan: To graduate from college in three years and earn the opportunity to play in the NFL. Every step of his journey - from backyard football to Purdue, Oregon and ultimately the NFL Draft was driven by a commitment to growth, discipline and family.

Since he was 6 years old, Luther Burden III was a name known throughout the city of St. Louis as he dominated every basketball court and football field he stepped foot on. Not only did he desire to be the best, but he also used sports to keep busy as a way to avoid going down the wrong path. Instead of using football to escape where he was from, the receiver wanted to show the youth around him the importance of staying close to home and elevating the communities that shaped him. That culminated in him blazing his own trail and continuing to shine in his home state at the University of Missouri before being drafted by the Bears in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Through his friends, family and coaches, learn more about Luther Burden III and how family and football guided him to Chicago.

Follow the journey of Chicago Bears defensive lineman Shemar Turner as he turns his dream into reality. Growing up in Mansfield, Texas, Shemar encountered adversity in school, facing expulsion and ongoing struggles with his grades. It was his uncle's guidance that helped shape him into the resilient, determined man he is today. From dominating at DeSoto High School to battling personal loss at Texas A&M, Shemar's path to the NFL was anything but easy. Through grit, growth and perseverance, he overcame every obstacle and earned his shot when he was selected 62nd overall by the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Colston Loveland developed a country tough work ethic growing up on his family's farms, and his gritty "no excuses" mindset has now transferred onto the football field. Hailing from the small town of Gooding, Idaho, Loveland's journey to the Chicago Bears has helped put Idaho football on the map. Though he has faced plenty of adversity along the way, Loveland fully encompasses what it means to do things "The Gooding Way," persevering when life gets tough.

Bears rookie receiver Rome Odunze identifies strongly with his Nigerian heritage and understands the importance of honoring his family name. Odunze, who idolized Hall of Famer Devin Hester growing up, is determined to leave his own legacy both on and off the field.

Get to know Bears third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie through stories told by the people who impacted his life throughout his football journey. Also hear from Amegadjie himself about how a chance encounter with head coach Matt Eberflus foreshadowed his NFL future.

Roschon Johnson, an impressive All-American quarterback during his high school years, made a transition to the running back position as a freshman at the University of Texas. Despite the presence of star running back Bijan Robinson, Johnson's unwavering dedication to the team motivated him to remain with the Longhorns. Thanks to his versatility and determination, Johnson is poised to become an contributor for the Bears during his rookie season.

From a small town of Anderson, S.C., Zacch Pickens was drafted out of the University of South Carolina in the third round. Raised by a determined single mother, Zacch's journey is deeply influenced by her unwavering support and sacrifices, which have played a pivotal role in shaping him into the humble and tenacious individual we see today. Their enduring bond and the values instilled during his upbringing have served as the foundation for Zacch's character, driving him to overcome challenges and ultimately achieve his dream of making it to the NFL.

Gervon Dexter Sr., an impressive talent drafted in the second round from the University of Florida, brings a level of athleticism that serves as a crucial addition to the Bears' defensive line. During his formative years at Lake Wales High School in Lake Wales, Florida, Dexter primarily focused on basketball, showcasing his skills on both the school team and a travel team that included the current NBA power forward for the Toronto Raptors, Scottie Barnes. However, it was in his final two years in high school that Dexter made the transition to football, embarking on a path that led him to the NFL.

Kyler Gordon earned the nickname "Mr. Spotlight" at an early age after surpassing all ceilings in competitive dance and Kung Fu, but the pressure of being on the stage by himself pushed him to explore other sports eventually leading him to a football field. Before he was a Chicago Bear, Washington Husky, or All-Pac 12 corner, his determination to excel carved out a legacy that is still being admired today.

A bond formed through devastating loss and hard work drove Jaquan Brisker out of his circumstances and onto the field of Penn State University. Although he took an unconventional route to the Nittany Lions football program—making a stop at Lackawanna College along the way—his hard work and determination kept him competing at a high level. The Bears' newest safety brings excellent instincts and a ball-hawking ability that is capable of putting on a show come gameday.

Velus Jones' path to the NFL was anything but ordinary. He played six seasons of college football—starting at USC and finishing at Tennessee—and ended his collegiate career as one of the most improved players in the nation. Despite coming into the NFL at 25 years old, Jones, with his rare combination of size and speed, is determined to prove that his age is irrelevant by staying true to the mantra "Head up, faith strong."

Justin Fields has been showered with honors throughout his football career, but the quarterback is nowhere near satisfied. From his time being followed by the documentary series "QB1: Beyond the Lights" as a senior in high school, Fields has constantly been in the spotlight and now, he is in Chicago as the newest first-round draft choice of the Bears.

Learn more about Bears rookie offensive lineman Teven Jenkins, who has a reputation for being nasty. The six-foot-six, 320-pound offensive tackle from Oklahoma State describes his ability to "flip the switch" from his self-proclaimed goofy off-field persona to his tone-setting "controlled aggression" on the field and reveals how his late mother motivates him today.

The Chicago Bears will launch their three-part documentary series "Meet the Rookies" brought to you by Dr Pepper Zero Sugar on Tuesday, featuring behind-the-scenes footage with offensive lineman Teven Jenkins, running back Khalil Herbert and quarterback Justin Fields. The series tells the story of each player's journey to the National Football League in their own words. This marks the seventh year of the Bears "Meet the Rookies" series. From Tuesday through Thursday, one episode will be released per day at 8 a.m.

Growing up in Warren, Ohio, with a dad who played football at Ohio State University, becoming a Buckeye seems like a natural fit, but not for James Daniels. Daniels committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes as a four-star recruit to play alongside his big brother. His versatility as an offensive lineman and controlled movements as a run blocker caught the attention of NFL scouts. One thing he couldn't control was his emotions when the Bears called Daniels in the second round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Anthony Miller walks the streets of Memphis and describes the "Memphis grind," an attitude that propelled him from a walk-on at Memphis to a second-round pick in this year's draft.

One of the most unique characters in this year's draft class is fourth-round pick Joel "Iggy" Iyiegbuniwe. The linebacker recently graduated from Western Kentucky University and one day plans on attending medical school to become a pediatrician.

Head to Macon County, Ga to learn more about Roquan Smith. Nearly 900 miles from Chicago, viewers will find the same hard-nosed, blue-collared work ethic that Bears fans take so much pride in. With a population of 3,500 people, the small town of Montezuma, Ga., produced the Bears' top draft pick.

Meet the Rookies will launch June 25th at 7:00pm with the first episode featuring Roquan Smith.

Hear from the rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky on his ascent from Ohio high school star to first-round NFL Draft pick. Family members and a former coach help illustrate how football isn't just a game to Trubisky, it's a way of life.

Tarik Cohen burst from the tiny hamlet of Bunn, N.C., and arrived at Halas Hall as a fourth-round Draft pick. The shifty running back explains why the one college scholarship offer he received was enough and how he thrives on the doubts of others. His mother and college position coach reveal exactly how long his odds seemed and how belief can change everything.

Once an accomplished small college basketball player, Adam Shaheen explains what led him to abandon that plan and not only change schools, but shift his athletic pursuits entirely. It's a long road from Division II to the NFL and a former coach backs up why he always believed it was a path the Bears second-round Draft pick could successfully travel.

Rashaad Coward details the hardships and hurdles he encountered not only playing football, but simply growing up in the urban hub of Brooklyn, N.Y. Former coaches detail how Coward focused his attention and energy on football to escape the inner city and earn an NFL opportunity.

Meet the Rookies showcases personal profiles of four members of the Chicago Bears 2017 rookie class (Mitchell Trubisky, Adam Shaheen, Tarik Cohen and Rashaad Coward) as they each take their first steps toward establishing an NFL career. Meet the Rookies is produced by the Chicago Bears Network and hosted by Jeff Joniak.