SAN FRANCISCO – Chimere Dike arrived in the National Football League with somewhat modest goals, a fourth-round pick of the Titans who, as a rookie, was mainly just looking to prove he belonged.
On Sunday, as Dike looked around him here at the Pro Bowl Games, he was surrounded by some of the game's best.
And, a part of him could hardly believe it.
"Being here, it's a little bit surreal, to be honest," Dike said with a smile. "Just being around this caliber of players, some of the best in the league, it's exciting. And I'm going to learn from them and also enjoy the week. It's great to be here. It's just nice to be around the guys, and have some fun."
Dike earned his spot, of course.
In 2025, Dike established the all-time NFL rookie record for all-purpose yards, and he also had the most all-purpose yards in a season by any NFL player since Darren Sproles in 2011. Dike also broke the franchise record for single-season punt return average.
In addition to being named a Pro Bowl, he was also named first-team All-Pro.
Not bad for a guy who said his focus coming into his first NFL season was simply to get better every day.
"I think when you come into this league, you have to earn everything," Dike said. "Whatever role I was given, I wanted to help the team. When I first started practicing in OTAs and working, I had the confidence I could play at this level. … Then, my first game, when I had the (71-yard return vs Denver), and then being able to execute on the offensive snaps I was given, that gave me confidence that if I kept working, and prepared the right way, I could have some success early on and perform at a high level.
"But I don't think I expected my rookie year to go any better than it did. It was a real blessing."
Now, Dike said he wants to keep improving, and he wants to win.
He said he's excited about some of the recent changes in Nashville, including the hiring of head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, and the team's decision to retain John (Bones) Fassel as special teams coach.
"Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be in Tennessee for the press conference, but just hearing Coach Saleh's message, it gets me excited, and I think it gets a lot of guys excited," Dike said. "We played their defense this year, the 49ers, and they have a really good unit that plays hard, and plays violent, and plays physical – all the things that he mentioned. So, I am excited to get back to Tennessee, and work with him.
"Coach Daboll, he has a lot of experience and his track record speaks for itself. And I know he is going to put us in the best position to be successful. It is going to be exciting to learn and grow with him.
"And, I am very happy that Bones came back. I think he is the best in the world at what he does. He really cares about the guys, and we all want to play as hard as we can for him."
Dike said he's hopeful the recent changes will be the start of some stability, and success.
"You want that stability, right? Because it usually means you are building something and everyone is moving in the same direction," Dike said. "But I also think that change like this can create growth, a new set of voices, a new set of eyes, a new philosophy that is pushing you.
"This is an opportunity to really get better and grow, and it's going to be a really big time for our organization to get better and form what we want to be for the future."
Here at the Pro Bowl, Dike said he's going to work to be an even better version of himself in 2026, as a returner, and a receiver.
His plan: To get sturdier, stronger and even more savvy in Year 2.
He made it clear he's far from satisfied, following a year when he totaled 2,427 all-purpose yards, including 1,588 kickoff return yards, 398 punt return yards, 423 receiving yards, 18 rushing yards and six total touchdowns. Dike's total ranked third in franchise history for all-purpose yards in a season behind Derrick Mason's 2,690 all-purpose yards in 2000 and Chris Johnson's 2,509 yards in 2009.
With a punt return average of 17.3 yards and a kickoff return average of 25.6 yards, Dike became the NFL's first player since Detroit's Jack Christiansen in 1952 (21.5 punt return average and 25.6 kickoff return average) to qualify with an average 17.0+ yards per punt return and 25.0+ yards per kickoff return in a season.
"Looking back, there is so much I can get better at," Dike said. "I am not a finished product by any means – I can play a lot better football, and I'm going to.
"I've said it before, one of my favorite quotes is from (former Wisconsin coach) Paul Chryst: "You have not arrived, and the best ones never do.' It's just that constant pursuit of getting better. I want to reset, and I want to help the Tennessee Titans win as many football games as we can. I want to help us play championship football, I want to improve as a teammate, improve as a player, continue to impact my family, my friends and my community."
But, for at least a few days, Dike is going to enjoy the Pro Bowl festivities.
He brought his mom, Mary, his dad, Uche, and his girlfriend, Lexie Adzija, with him to the Bay Area. They'll enjoy the week, which will include a tour of Alcatraz, while celebrating Dike's accomplishment.
On Saturday night, Titans Director, Player & Family Affairs Ansley Moore arranged a dinner for Dike and his family at STK Steakhouse here in town. While at the dinner, Dike got a surprise FaceTime call from Rams receiver Davante Adams, Dike's biggest sports hero (it's why he wears No. 17), congratulating him.
It will be remembered as part of a special week for the rookie.
It's been a long road from Wisconsin to Florida to Tennessee to the Pro Bowl, and Dike is soaking it all in.
"One of the most special things about sports is how it brings people together," Dike said. "The same thing with my family. My parents missed three of my games in college, and they went to every home game this year (in Nashville). Just the way they've always supported me, how may sacrifices they made taking me to AAU tournaments, baseball tournaments, football camps growing up. I wouldn't be here without them.
"So, for us to be able to enjoy this moment, together, I think it is one of the best parts of a week like this. It's special."
