The Chicago Bears didn’t need much convincing to sign Kalif Raymond when he became available this offseason. Head coach Ben Johnson knew the wide receiver personally from their years together with the Detroit Lions. He understood what Raymond brought to the table. It started with his obvious skill on offense. His mixture of speed and route-running made him an underrated weapon that could get you two or three meaningful catches. Next was his return ability. Raymond has long been dangerous in the third phase, able to hit for big plays without earning. Last but certainly not least was his leadership.
Ask anybody in the Lions locker room from the past few seasons, and all of them would say Raymond was an unquestioned voice they’d listen to. His dedication to the game was second to none, and he was willing to sacrifice his own success if it helped the team. It is why several Detroit players were upset that he left. It hasn’t taken Raymond long to have that same effect at Halas Hall. Teammates are already benefitting from his presence. Perhaps none more so than Zavion Thomas.
One of Raymond’s first objectives? Take the rookie’s greatest strength and somehow make it even better.
Kalif Raymond understands too well what Thomas brings to the table.
The biggest reason the Bears drafted him in the 3rd round was because of his speed. Few players in the NFL are capable of running a 4.28. Johnson felt the team lacked that sort of field-flipping speed last season. Suddenly, the Bears now have two guys in that category. It is often lost on people how fast Raymond is. However, he understands that his juice is slowly drying up at age 32. Thomas, on the other hand, is 22. He hasn’t even entered his physical prime yet. If the veteran can get him started on speed training now, the results could be devastating for future Bears opponents.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
It may sound overly simplistic, but specialized work has repeatedly proven to have a tangible impact on players who embrace it. Look at running back Derrick Henry. The 247-lbs running back ran a solid but unremarkable 4.54 in the 40-yard dash coming out of Alabama. Then, as his NFL career unfolded, you’re seeing him put together runs that topped out at 21.8 mph. That is the same ballpark as some of the NFL’s best wide receivers like JaMarr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and Jordan Addison.
Kalif Raymond knows Thomas is fast. That doesn’t mean one shouldn’t look to make him even faster.
Raymond won’t stop there.
He knows as well as anybody that speed alone doesn’t make a successful NFL wide receiver. Plenty of guys game into the league who could run fast and accomplished nothing of note. It’s not just about the speed. It is about harnessing the speed and using it to maximum effect. That means improving the release and route-running. Both of which are crucial to giving a receiver the critical space needed to unleash their full speed. NFL cornerbacks are too talented and disciplined just to let guys run free.
Thomas must learn to use his hands and eyes to find those small openings. Once he does, the speed will take care of the rest. Raymond spent years learning this. His willingness to pass that knowledge down can’t be overstated. He also knows that there is no such thing as too big an advantage. Yes, Thomas is already fast. You can never be too fast, though. Raymond putting him into that line of thinking this early will only benefit him in the long run.
