Zach Thomas Bio
Zachary Robert Thomas (born May 26, 1998) is an American professional football player who serves as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). A native of San Diego, California, Thomas played his college football for the San Diego State Aztecs before launching an NFL career that has carried him across multiple franchises. As of the 2025 season, he is listed on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, continuing his path as a journeyman offensive lineman.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Robert Thomas was born on May 26, 1998, in San Diego, California, and grew up in the coastal region of Southern California. He attended Carlsbad High School, where he developed into a Division I-caliber offensive lineman and earned attention from college programs along the West Coast.
Standing roughly 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed around 308 pounds during his professional career, Thomas had the frame and footwork suited to the offensive tackle position. His combination of size, athleticism, and technical refinement allowed him to project as a multi-year college starter before he completed his senior season of high school.
Coming out of Carlsbad, Thomas received his opportunity to continue his football career in his home region, accepting a scholarship to play for the San Diego State Aztecs. That decision set the foundation for his transition from a promising prep prospect to a draft-eligible professional prospect.
Path to American Football
Thomas began his collegiate career at San Diego State University in 2016, working his way up the depth chart as the Aztecs built a competitive Mountain West program. Over six seasons with the program, he developed into a reliable starter along the offensive line and earned conference recognition for his play.
His growth at San Diego State was marked by steady improvement and durability. By his final seasons with the Aztecs, he had become a mainstay at offensive tackle, contributing to a run game and pass protection unit that helped San Diego State remain competitive in the Mountain West Conference.
In 2021, Thomas was recognized with first-team All-Mountain West honors, a year after earning second-team All-Mountain West accolades in 2020. Those awards reflected his consistency and helped position him as an NFL Draft prospect heading into the 2022 cycle.
Zach Thomas Career
Early Career (2022)
Thomas entered the 2022 NFL Draft after his collegiate career at San Diego State and was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 186th overall pick in the sixth round. He signed with the Bears and spent the early portion of his rookie season working to earn a roster spot along the offensive line.
On August 31, 2022, Thomas was waived by the Bears as part of final roster cuts and was subsequently re-signed to the team’s practice squad. The move gave him the opportunity to continue developing within Chicago’s offensive system while remaining available for promotion to the active roster.
Los Angeles Rams Tenure (2022–2024)
On November 18, 2022, Thomas was signed by the Los Angeles Rams from the Bears’ practice squad, giving him his first opportunity with an active roster at the NFL level. He joined a Rams offensive line that featured veteran leadership and a championship pedigree, providing Thomas with an environment to refine his craft.
Thomas remained with the Rams through the 2023 season, where he was released on November 25, 2023, and re-signed to the team three days later. He continued to contribute as a depth offensive tackle, and on January 15, 2024, he signed a reserve/future contract with Los Angeles, securing his spot on the offseason roster.
New England Patriots (2024)
On August 28, 2024, Thomas was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots, marking his third NFL organization in as many seasons. The Patriots added him to their offensive line depth as they finalized their 53-man roster for the regular season.
Thomas’ time in New England was brief. On November 5, 2024, he was waived by the Patriots, bringing his stint in the AFC East to a close and once again placing him on the league’s transaction wire.
Houston Texans (2024–2025)
On November 6, 2024, Thomas was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans, becoming the fourth franchise of his professional career. During the remainder of the 2024 season, he appeared in six games for the Texans, providing depth along the offensive line.
On March 12, 2025, Thomas re-signed with Houston on a one-year contract, signaling the organization’s interest in retaining his services. He was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of the Texans’ final roster cuts ahead of the regular season.
Indianapolis Colts (2025–Present)
On December 16, 2025, Thomas was signed to the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, joining his fifth NFL organization. The move offered him a fresh opportunity to compete for an active-roster promotion within Indianapolis’ offensive line rotation.
Thomas’ tenure with the Colts reflects the journey of a late-round prospect who has continued to find opportunities across the league. His path from a sixth-round draft selection to a practice-squad contributor in Indianapolis illustrates the persistence required to sustain a career in professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Thomas’ professional career came on draft night in 2022, when the Chicago Bears selected him in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick. That moment launched a series of transactions that have carried him across five NFL franchises in just over three seasons. Earning first-team All-Mountain West honors in 2021 stood as his most prominent individual collegiate recognition, and his six-game appearance with the Houston Texans during the 2024 season marked his most extensive regular-season action at the professional level.
Zach Thomas Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Zachary Robert Thomas’ professional contributions are measured less by individual win totals and more by his availability, durability, and ability to provide depth across multiple franchises. Throughout his career, he has served as a rotational tackle and practice-squad contributor rather than a featured starter, supporting offensive units in Chicago, Los Angeles, New England, Houston, and Indianapolis.
Other Wins & Performances
Thomas’ most notable individual performances came at the collegiate level, where he earned second-team All-Mountain West recognition in 2020 and was elevated to first-team All-Mountain West in 2021. His six appearances with the Houston Texans during the 2024 season represented his most sustained professional opportunity, and his continued movement across practice squads and active rosters highlights his value as a dependable depth offensive tackle in the NFL.
Zach Thomas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Zachary Robert Thomas was raised in the San Diego area of Southern California, a region with a strong football culture at the high school and collegiate levels. Public details about his immediate family and upbringing remain limited in available sources.
Personal Life
Thomas has maintained a low public profile regarding his personal and family life. Confirmed information about a spouse, children, or extended family members has not been disclosed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Thomas began the 2025 season out of football after being waived by the Houston Texans on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. The transaction ended his time with the franchise following a one-year contract signed earlier in the offseason and once again placed him on the league’s waiver wire.
On December 16, 2025, Thomas was signed to the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, joining his fifth NFL organization and providing him an opportunity to compete for an active-roster promotion late in the season. His addition added experienced tackle depth to the Colts’ offensive line as they navigated the back stretch of their regular-season schedule.
Looking ahead, Thomas’ outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season centers on remaining available and productive in Indianapolis. His track record of moving between practice squads and active rosters suggests he will continue to pursue opportunities to contribute along an NFL offensive line.