Zavion Thomas could not have scripted his first NFL reception any better.
On the Bears' first play from scrimmage Saturday night against the Titans, while backed up at their own 3-yard line, quarterback Tyson Bagent took the shotgun formation and, with the pocket collapsing in the end zone, fired a deep ball to a wide-open Thomas streaking down the right sideline.
While Thomas slowed down just a bit to turn and make the catch, he immediately fired the jets back up and sped all the way into the end zone on the other side of the field for a 97-yard touchdown.
"I think that was Zavion Thomas' very first play in the NFL, so greatest start in NFL history," Bagent told reporters after the Bears' preseason victory in Nashville.
Thomas' blazing speed certainly stole the show on the play, but his double move on Titans cornerback Keydrain Calligan was what allowed Bagent to find him.
After securing the ball, the only question was if Thomas would be caught by safety Jerrick Reed II.
"Nah, he ain't have a chance," Thomas said.
Saturday marked Thomas' NFL preseason debut after an injury he sustained earlier in training camp kept him sidelined the past two weeks. Between working to return to full strength and trying to stay afloat while learning Ben Johnson's complex offense, that first play meant a lot to the rookie wideout.
"It felt amazing," Thomas shared. "Just the preparation [I] put into it, it's something I expected. I appreciate my teammates and also thank God for the opportunity."
The speed and explosiveness Thomas displayed were traits that drew the Bears to the LSU product and led them to select him No. 89 overall in April's draft.
While it's not always the case that a player's timed speed can translate to their game speed, Thomas has proved that his times do match up over the course of the Bears' offseason program, training camp practices and, now, in game action.
After joking that Thomas' 4.28 40-yard dash speed that he displayed on the TD was "great coaching," Johnson spoke further on the rookie's development.
"We've seen it throughout camp," Johnson said. "He's had a knack for making some big plays throughout. Got sidetracked a little bit with the injury, but to get him back out there and get him a taste of real football, I thought that was huge. Don't want all that production to go to his head, necessarily. He's still got a long ways to go, and he knows that. He understands that. Coach (Antwann) Randle El and Isaiah Ford, they're on him constantly just to make sure he is getting the details down that we need to have success in this offense. But it was a good start."
Thomas' "good start" to his NFL career featured five receptions on five targets for 140 yards, with the rookie catching passes from both Bagent in the first half and veteran Case Keenum in the second half. His shortest reception was an 8-yard gain, while his other three catches went for 11, 11 and 13 yards.
The Louisiana native also showcased his value on special teams against the Titans, returning one punt for 39 yards and one kickoff for 22 yards — opportunities he takes as much pride in as the ones he gets on offense.
"It's gonna be real important getting great field position for the offense, so those boys can go out there and score," Thomas said. "That's my job, and that's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna try and do the best I [can]."
While Thomas' debut was certainly one to remember, he also experienced the typical up-and-down nature an NFL game after fumbleing a jet sweep handoff from Bagent on the Bears' second drive. Speaking to reporters after the game, Bagent claimed responsibility for the mishap, but once Thomas arrived at the podium shortly after the quarterback was done speaking, the rookie took accountability.
"That was 1000% on me," Thomas said. "I've gotta be better, and I will be better … I've just gotta secure the ball."
As Thomas looks ahead to the Bears' Week 1 matchup in Charlotte against the Panthers two weeks from Sunday, he credits his fellow receivers forhelping him get through his first NFL training camp and setting him up to be successful in his rookie year.
"Having guys in the receiver room, the guys that we have here, they make a lot of things easy for me. Having people that I can look up to, like 'Lif (Kalif Raymond), just following in his footsteps, he's kind of coached me through the whole thing. So, he's made it a little easier for me."
Having that support from a veteran like Raymond and other receivers such as Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III has allowed Thomas to keep a level head and learn by example.
While Johnson emphasized the importance of Thomas maintaining that humble mentality as he enters the regular season, his teammates don't anticipate the rookie losing his hunger or using his confidence in any way other than being a positive for the Bears.
"He knows what's ahead for him," Bagent said. "This is no easy ride being in the NFL, no matter what position you are, no matter how fast you are. I think he has a good understanding there's a lot of work to be done, but it's also good to have success early on. Because he is fast, you've got a fast guy with confidence, [and] I don't think that's a bad thing at all. But I think he's well aware of the workload that's ahead of him."
