Receiver Devin Thomas, who signed a one-year deal in the offseason, has notified the team that he is leaving, according to a team spokesman.
On his verified Twitter account, Thomas said he is retiring. A source confirmed that Thomas, 25, is planning to retire.
“God has blessed me [with] achieving a childhood dream,” Thomas also wrote on Twitter. “I want to give back to my hometown and coach/ mentor kids so they can reach their own.”
A second-round pick of the Washington Redskins out of Michigan State, Thomas has posted modest numbers in his career. He has 43 career catches for 482 yards and three touchdowns. Last season, as part of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Thomas has three catches for 37 yards.
More importantly, though, Thomas had two fumble recoveries on special teams against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.
There was no assurance that he’d make the Bears, given serious competition at the bottom of the depth chart, behind Brandon Marshall, rookie Alshon Jeffery, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester. Eric Weems was also signed, although primarily as a special teamer, and Dane Sanzenbacher and undrafted rookie Brittan Golden have also had strong camps.
Thomas signed a one-year deal for the veteran minimum for his experience, which is $700,000.
He downplayed the decision to the New York Daily News.
“I mean, you know, football, it’s just a game,” Thomas told the Daily News. “I enjoyed playing it for awhile. I had my greatest moments obviously with the Giants. I felt my spirit going other ways.
“I just felt it was a good time to let the game go. I think this is the perfect time.”
Thomas said winning a Super Bowl was his goal all along.
“I accomplished my childhood dream,” he told the Daily News. “I couldn’t care less about personal goals as far as Pro Bowls and receiving yards.”
Thomas told the Daily News he is focusing on his upcoming wedding and his four-year-old son, Devin Jr.
