Chicago Bears Facing Backlash After Shocking NFL Draft Decision

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Chicago Bears Facing Backlash After Shocking NFL Draft Decision

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Evan Massey | Last updated Apr 25, 2026 1:17 PM ET

The Chicago Bears came into the 2026 NFL Draft expected to take another big step towards winning the Lombardi Trophy.

Ryan Poles has done an excellent job in recent drafts. He has reshaped the future for the Bears. However, through the first three rounds of this year’s draft, fans are quite perplexed about what the team has done.

Most notably, Chicago made a shocking decision to draft LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas in the third round with the No. 89 overall pick.

Following the decision being made to draft Thomas, reactions started coming out across social media. Many of those reactions were simply confusion, as Thomas wasn’t projected to be anywhere close to a third-round pick in the 2026 draft class.

Chicago Bears Facing Backlash for Zavion Thomas Draft Pick

Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Zavion Thomas (0) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Lorin Cox of Locked On Bears was clearly not a big fan of the pick. He took to X to share his opinions on the matter.

“Chicago Bears 3rd round pick WR Zavion Thomas had a 7th round grade from Dane Brugler, ranked as 34th best WR in ‘The Beast,'” Cox wrote in his post.

“PFF ranked him as the 213th best player in the draft class. ESPN’s Matt Miller ranked him 266th in the draft class. Ryan Poles took him at 89.”

No one can truly judge a draft pick when it happens. It’s anyone’s guess how a young player will develop in the NFL. That being said, there are clear reasons to be concerned about the Thomas pick and NFL Draft experts clearly weren’t as high on him as Chicago was.

During the 2025 college football season at LSU, Thomas played a decent role. He caught 41 passes for 488 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers simply do not scream third-round pick.

Standing in at 5-foot-10 and 192 pounds, Thomas is known for his speed. He could give Caleb Williams another weapon down the field and a guy who could make plays after the catch. That is what likely made him so attractive to Ryan Poles, Ben Johnson, and the Bears.

Only time will tell, but for now there are many questioning Chicago’s decision to bring in a player projected to be a seventh-round pick by many in the third round.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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