Zavion Thomas: 40 Time, Walter Payton Connection and Family Relation Explained

Zavion Thomas has quickly become one of the more intriguing young players on the Chicago Bears roster. The former LSU wide receiver was selected by Chicago with the No. 89 overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but his draft story contains an especially interesting family connection: Thomas is a distant relative of Bears legend Walter Payton.

Thomas also generated plenty of attention because of his elite speed. His official 40 time was 4.28 seconds at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, giving the Bears a dynamic player who can contribute as a receiver and return specialist.

Zavion Thomas 40 Time

Zavion Thomas ran an official 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine.

That number immediately stood out among the draft class. The Chicago Bears have specifically highlighted his speed, noting that the explosiveness he showed during the combine has also translated to practices.

His speed is particularly valuable because Thomas is not limited to a traditional wide receiver role. During his college career, he was used as a receiver, runner and returner.

The 4.28 time also helps explain why Chicago viewed him as an intriguing offensive weapon despite his relatively modest size. Thomas is listed at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds by the Bears, while NFL.com lists him at the same height and weight.

Is Zavion Thomas Related to Walter Payton?

Yes, Zavion Thomas has said that he is related to Walter Payton, although the exact relationship has not been publicly established.

Thomas described the connection as distant. The Chicago Sun-Times reported after the 2026 NFL Draft that Thomas said the relationship is “somewhere” on the family tree and that it is a long way from him.

The Chicago Bears also acknowledged the connection when announcing Thomas’ selection. According to the team, Thomas had been told that he was related to Payton and believed the relationship was distant.

Importantly, there is no reliable public evidence establishing Thomas as Walter Payton’s direct grandson, nephew or close cousin. Reports instead describe the two as distant relatives.

How Is Zavion Thomas Related to Walter Payton?

The publicly available information points to a connection through Thomas’ grandfather.

After the Bears selected Thomas, he explained that his grandfather had told him stories about Walter Payton. Thomas said his grandfather and Payton had even shared a bed when they were children.

That makes the family connection especially meaningful because Payton spent the majority of his legendary NFL career with Chicago.

However, the exact branch of the family tree connecting Thomas and Payton has not been clearly documented. Therefore, it is more accurate to describe Thomas as a distant relative of Walter Payton rather than assigning a specific cousin relationship without evidence.

Mississippi State’s official biography also listed Thomas as “Related to Walter Payton,” providing an additional official record of the family connection.

Who Is Walter Payton?

Walter Payton was one of the greatest running backs in NFL history and became synonymous with the Chicago Bears.

Nicknamed “Sweetness,” Payton spent his entire NFL career with Chicago after the Bears selected him fourth overall in the 1975 NFL Draft. He became a Hall of Famer and remains one of the most celebrated players in franchise history.

For Thomas, joining the Bears therefore carries additional significance.

He was not simply drafted by an NFL franchise with a rich football history. He joined the same organization associated with a legendary member of his extended family.

Zavion Thomas College Career

Before entering the NFL, Thomas played four seasons of college football between Mississippi State and LSU.

He began his career at Mississippi State. As a freshman in 2022, he became a Freshman All-American as a punt returner after returning 15 punts for 202 yards and a touchdown.

In 2023, Thomas became a much larger part of the Bulldogs’ offense. He caught 40 passes for 503 yards and one touchdown while also contributing as a runner and returner.

Thomas then transferred to LSU for the 2024 season.

During his two seasons with the Tigers, he recorded 64 receptions for 706 yards and six touchdowns, according to Chicago’s official roster information.

His final college season was particularly productive. In 2025, Thomas caught 41 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed 19 times for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Zavion Thomas and the Chicago Bears

The Bears selected Thomas with the 89th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Chicago viewed his speed and versatility as major parts of his appeal.

Thomas can line up as a wide receiver, move around the formation and contribute on special teams. His return ability was already evident in college, where he earned Freshman All-America recognition as a punt returner.

The Bears’ coaching staff has also praised his ability to turn his timed speed into real football plays. His 4.28-second combine performance was not simply a testing number; Chicago has seen that explosiveness during practices.

Thomas’ NFL Debut Shows His Speed

Thomas’ preseason performances have provided an early glimpse of what his speed can bring to Chicago.

In the Bears’ preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans on August 29, 2026, Thomas caught five passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, including a spectacular 97-yard touchdown reception. He also produced a 39-yard punt return.

The performance highlighted exactly why his 4.28-second 40 time has attracted so much attention.

A player with that type of straight-line speed can change a game with one touch. Thomas’ ability to contribute on both offense and special teams gives Chicago another way to create explosive plays.

Zavion Thomas Stats

Here are Thomas’ major college receiving numbers:

Thomas finished his college career with 106 receptions for 1,213 yards and seven receiving touchdowns. He also added 198 rushing yards and contributed extensively as a return specialist.

What Makes Zavion Thomas Interesting?

Thomas’ biggest asset is obvious: speed.

His 4.28-second 40 gives Chicago a legitimate vertical threat. However, his value goes beyond simply running deep routes.

He has experience returning punts and kickoffs, carrying the football and lining up in different offensive positions. That versatility could allow the Bears to manufacture touches for him rather than relying solely on traditional receiver routes.

His background also makes him an intriguing fit for an offense that wants to create explosive plays.

Zavion Thomas and Walter Payton: Why the Connection Matters

The Walter Payton connection does not determine Thomas’ NFL potential, but it makes his arrival in Chicago an unusual and memorable story.

Payton is one of the most important figures in Bears history. Thomas, meanwhile, grew up hearing about Payton through his family and ultimately landed with the same franchise.

The connection is especially notable because Thomas’ grandfather reportedly knew Payton as a child. Thomas has emphasized that the family relationship is distant, but it is still meaningful to him.

Ultimately, though, Thomas will have to establish his own identity in Chicago.

FAQ About Zavion Thomas

What is Zavion Thomas’ 40 time?

Zavion Thomas ran an official 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.

Is Zavion Thomas related to Walter Payton?

Yes. Thomas has said that he is a distant relative of Walter Payton. Mississippi State’s official biography also listed Payton as a relative.

How is Zavion Thomas related to Walter Payton?

The exact relationship has not been publicly established. Thomas has indicated that the connection runs through his grandfather and is far down the family tree.

What team drafted Zavion Thomas?

The Chicago Bears selected Thomas with the 89th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Where did Zavion Thomas play college football?

Thomas played at Mississippi State and LSU. He spent two seasons at each school before entering the NFL Draft.

How fast is Zavion Thomas?

Thomas’ official combine 40-yard dash time was 4.28 seconds, placing him among the fastest prospects in the 2026 draft class.

Final Takeaway

Zavion Thomas enters the NFL with two major storylines surrounding him: exceptional speed and a fascinating family connection to Walter Payton.

His 4.28-second 40 time makes him one of the more explosive athletes on Chicago’s roster, while his ability to play receiver and contribute as a return specialist gives the Bears multiple ways to use him.

The Walter Payton connection adds another layer to his Chicago story. Thomas is a distant relative of the Bears legend through a family connection involving his grandfather, although the precise relationship has not been publicly confirmed.

For Thomas, however, the next chapter is about creating his own legacy. His impressive preseason finale, highlighted by a 97-yard touchdown catch and 140 receiving yards, suggests that his elite speed can translate to the NFL.