There may not be a rookie at the Chicago Bears OTAs who has been more impressive than third-round pick wide receiver Zavion Thomas.
Everyone knew early on that Thomas had the speed to compete with anyone in the league after running a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, but he has truly shown off the kind of weapon he can be in this Bears offense. Head coach Ben Johnson has been overly impressed with himself to the point that he is starting to see a role for Thomas in their offense in 2026.
“If we can harness all this energy…we really could use him, and he could be a big weapon for us this year," Johnson said via PFSN's Jacob Infante.
Ben Johnson is ready to unleash Zavion Thomas in his Bears offense in 2026
All OTAs, we have seen some great highlight players from Thomas that the Bears social media team has shared. Thomas had a deep pass completion for a touchdown from Caleb Williams while also showing off the YAC yards with his screen pass completion from Tyson Bagent earlier in the week.
The Bears have seen it all from Thomas, who is first looking to earn his starting job on special teams as a returner and will have to compete with Kalif Raymond for that job. It also turns out that the two are competing for the WR3 job as well.
It still feels like Raymond is going to end up getting the WR3 job, as Johnson has praised the veteran receiver at OTAs. Thomas might be more of a gadget player on offense, where he can line up in the backfield and in the slot at receiver depending on the formation and situation in the game. Johnson used DJ Moore in that role, and it did not work well, but Thomas might be exactly what Johnson needs to make it happen.
Don't be surprised, though, if Thomas ends up sneaking in as the WR3 at some point or at least jumps ahead of Jahdae Walker at WR4. The Bears are going to want him on the field, and Thomas is making an easy argument that there should be a rotation at WR3.
Read more: Montez Sweat didn't beat around the bush on what his 2026 goal is with Bears
Chicago was originally anxious about general manager Ryan Poles selecting Thomas so high in the third round when he was a projected Day 3 pick, but after the last three weeks, it's starting to look like a pretty good pick for the Bears.
Add us as a preferred source on Google