Bears rookie WR Zavion Thomas had something to say about Ben Johnson

Zavion Thomas played his best game for the Chicago Bears. He delivered a 97-yard touchdown to open the scoring for his team and left a good impression on Ben Johnson and his staff. The rookie also praised his head coach during his postgame availability.

Thomas finished with five receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown. He made a strong case to receive more playing time once the regular season starts despite Chicago’s loaded wide receiver room. The LSU product showed off his speed and strong route running in the 24-15 win.

His production helped the Bears end the preseason with a 2-1 record. They bounced back from the 27-9 defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals last week. Thomas will be a player to watch out for regardless of how much time he’ll have on the field.

Jun 9, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas (81) passes the ball during Chicago Bears Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears: Zavion Thomas speaks highly of Ben Johnson

Thomas highlighted what he has learned from Johnson and how he felt after his breakout performance. He shared to reporters that the second-year head coach reminds him to stay grounded and remain focused on the task on hand.

“It feels good,” Thomas said. “Having a coach telling me to stay humble means a lot to me. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do, and on to the next day.”

Zavion Thomas on Ben Johnson’s leadership and being told to stay Humble:

“It feels good. Having a coach telling me to stay humble means a lot to me. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do, and on to the next day.”

Love it. pic.twitter.com/fyfhHO50IB

— BearsMuse (@ChiBearsMuse) August 30, 2026

Thomas and Chicago have two weeks left before they open their regular season. They will face the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13 at Bank of America Stadium. The team will play their home opener the following week versus the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas is fighting to be part of the WR rotation, with Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Jahdae Walker expected to play majority of the snaps. However, his production on Saturday gives Johnson and his staff another option they can utilize, especially with Thomas’ youth and skill set.