Rookie Zavion Thomas brings explosive versatility to Chicago, drawing inspiration from return legend Devin Hester and embracing a rumored family connection to the iconic Walter Payton.
The Chicago Bears took seven players in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the third round, they took Stanford tight end Sam Roush and LSU receiver Zavion Thomas.
Thomas brings adds another return specialist to the mix to pair with Kalif Raymond. He also has potential as a gadget receiver, similar to Deebo Samuel during his stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Thomas spent time at Mississippi State and LSU in college. On his Mississippi State bio, it said that he is related to Bears legend Walter Payton. Whether this is true or not has yet to be seen.
The LSU product is aware of another legendary Bears player. The team held a press conference following rookie minicamp, and Thomas was asked about Hall of Famer Devin Hester.
Thomas said being with the Bears has just reinforced that Hester is the G.O.A.T. He was grateful to be with a franchise that knows how valuable a good returner is.
The two almost met.
"It's a blessing," Thomas said. "He was actually here yesterday, and I didn't see him. I didn't realize, but I was thinking about it last night. I had seen it on social media. I'm like ****, I ain't seen him. It kind of hurted me. But just being familiar with his game, being familiar that he's the best kicker returner of all time. And me being able to play the same position as him, watch his film, and stuff like that, it's a blessing. This morning we was with Coach High [Hightower]. He was kind of showing us more Devin Hester highlights, just putting it back in our head that he's the goat."
On top of being a Hall of Famer, Hester also made four Pro Bowls.
Thomas is a versatile weapon. He scored in four different ways throughout his college career. He scored a receiving, rushing, punt return and kick return touchdown during his time at Mississippi State and LSU.
The Bears added two undrafted free agent receivers to the roster recently. Chicago brought Florida State WR Squirrel White and Michigan State WR Omari Kelly.
The team even signed a veteran receiver this weekend. Super Bowl champion Scotty Miller was signed by the Bears. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.
Chicago's receiver room features Miller, Thomas, Kelly, White, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Kalif Raymond, J.P. Richardson and Maurice Alexander.
Thomas is coming in as a return specialist, and he's at a franchise with some pretty good history there.