Chicago Bears rookie Zavion Thomas didn't return a single kick in the Week 1 win over the Carolina Panthers. Is Thomas already getting the Devin Hester treatment? What should fans expect from the third-round pick against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday?
Bears rookie wide receiver and return man Zavion Thomas lined up as one of Chicago's two kick returners on all six of the team's return attempts. Despite the Bears being in a shootout with the Carolina Panthers, Thomas didn't return any of the kickoffs in the 59-37 victory.
Two kicks went for touchbacks, and Josh Blackwell returned the other four attempts.
The Panthers were purposely kicking the ball opposite of Thomas the entire game -- a sign of respect for the rookie and his 4.28 40-speed.
That kind of respect was common in Chicago's return game when Devin Hester used to strike fear into opposing special teams units. Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower was asked if Thomas is already getting the same treatment as the Hall-of-Fame return man.
"When you take a look at that game, they were definitely kicking the ball away from him," Hightower said. "We want the ball in his hands. We're going to do everything we can to get the ball in his hands. And he's got to go get some of those, which we're going to make sure that he is working to do that. But they definitely tried to pin it in the corner and try to keep it away from him. I haven't seen that this early on, but it is what it is."
When Hightower mentioned Thomas has to get some of those kicks, he admitted it wasn't realistic against the Panthers, who made a point to strategically kick away from him. Still, the special teams coordinator made it clear that if an opportunity arises, he wants the rookie to take the ball and make a play.
Thomas will get his next opportunity against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. Against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1, the Vikings returned six kicks for 176 yards -- the sixth-most in the NFL.
Minnesota allowed a kick return average of 26.2 yards in 2025, which was the 13th-highest in the NFL. In the Bears' Week 11 matchup against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium last season, former Chicago kick returner Devin Duvernay had a 56-yard kick return with less than a minute remaining in the game. Duvernay's return helped put the Bears in position to kick the game-winning 48-yard field goal to secure a 19-17 win over the Vikings.
Weather could be a major factor at Soldier Field on Sunday, with forecasts projecting rain before kickoff and throughout the game. Those slick conditions could disrupt both special teams units, potentially opening the door for Thomas to break a few returns in front of the home crowd.
