The Chicago Bears are looking like a very fun team in 2026, as Caleb Williams is projected to take another leap forward with Ben Johnson calling plays.
But, it's not just Williams; there is plenty of excitement about what Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III can do in an offense without DJ Moore. The new-look WR room might be a very fun one in 2026.
However, Burden and Odunze might not be the only receivers to factor into the offense. As ESPN's Courtney Cronin highlighted, the Bears' 2026 third-round pick, and "lightning-fast" WR Zavion Thomas, might be more than a special teamer as a rookie.
Bears' Zavion Thomas might be an impactful WR in his rookie year
"The lightning-fast receiver who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine got ample reps as a punt returner this spring and showed that he can be more than a special teams star with his skill set on offense," Cronin writes.
While the Bears might be excited to see what Burden and Odunze do in 2026, it's important to have some other receivers they can turn to in 2026.
Kalif Raymond is a veteran option for the team, and now it appears that returner specialist Thomas might be more than just a special teamer in his rookie year.
If the speedster can factor into the offense of the Bears, even if only as a gadget option, field-stretcher, or someone who gets the occasional target or two per-game, it would be a big win for the 89th pick this past NFL Draft.
He had 488 yards on 41 receptions with four touchdowns during the 2025 season at LSU, and also ran for 99 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.
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Thomas was a fantastic returner as well, as he had two kickoff return TDs during his four-year college career, and one punt-return TD as well.
Cronin shared a quote from Johnson, where the Bears head coach believed Thomas could "be a big weapon for us," only if he aligns in the right spot and runs the route Johnson designed.
It's a simple ask, but in Johnson's offense, which is one of the better ones in the NFL, having a speedster who can get open down the field with a QB with an arm like Williams could generate some huge explosive plays.
Thomas might not break out into a star WR, but he's at least someone worth getting interested in during the upcoming 2026 season. He might be a bigger part of the offense than initially expected.
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