Chicago Bears HC sends Zavion Thomas warning after breakout game

If there were any worries about the abilities of Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Zavion Thomas, who missed the team’s first two preseason games with a knee injury, those were quickly erased with a head-turning debut in the Bears’ 25-15 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday.

Thomas, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, caught five passes for 140 yards, including a 97-yard touchdown pass on the Bears’ opening play on offense.

The speedster from LSU was expected to be a contributor as a returner this year, and put NFL teams on notice with a 39-yard punt return and 22-yard kick return.

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Thomas’ total of 201 yards on Saturday night was a fantastic debut for the rookie, but things will be much harder when he next plays in the regular season.

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During his postgame news conference, Bears head coach Ben Johnson had a warning for Thomas, saying he shouldn’t let his heroics on Saturday get into his head.

“Don’t want the all that production to go to his head necessarily,” Johnson said. “Still got a long way to go, and he knows that. He understands that.

“Coach (Assistant head coach and wide receivers coach) Antwaan Randle El and (offensive quality control) Isaiah Ford, they’re on him constantly just to make sure he’s getting the details down that we need to have success in this offense. But this is a good start.”

Johnson said Thomas showed similar ability throughout training camp, a good sign that the Bears will have some uses for him in the regular season.

“To have success in this offense, but it’s a good start,” Johnson said. “I mean we’ve seen it throughout camp. I mean it’s kind of like he’s had a knack for making some big plays throughout. You know, got sidetracked a little bit with the injury, but to get him back out there, get him a taste of real football, I thought that was huge.”

The real part of the season will be a different test for Thomas, but his speed is promising and should help him become an immediate threat on offense and as a returner.

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