Bears rookie WR Zavion Thomas is related to Walter Payton

The Chicago Bears selected wide receiver Zavion Thomas with the No. 89 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding depth and speed to the pass catcher and special teams units.

Thomas joins a receiver room headlined by Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III, and he'll have his work cut out for him to find his role as a rookie. But the team's selection of him in the third round shows their intrigue of his skillset, most notably his speed, and the little known deep family ties he has to Bears legend Walter Payton.

Thomas revealed that he has a deep family tie to Payton, but it was far down the family tree, with a relation between Payton and his grandfather. It's a fun and interesting connection for the rookie, and one that should make him beloved across the Bears fanbase before he even steps on the field.

The story is a fun one, but the fastest way in which Thomas will be embraced by his teammates and fans is to make an impact on offensive in his first year. The 4.28 40-yard dash speed he showed at the NFL Scouting Combine in February is extremely hard to find, which is more than likely what excited Bears head coach Ben Johnson about Thomas. It also creates excitement for how he can be built into the team's offense and special teams, especially with veteran Kalif Raymond added in the offseason.

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