The free-agent defections from the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants continued late Wednesday night when Devin Thomas, hero of the NFC Championship Game victory over the San Francisco 49ers, signed with the Chicago Bears.

Thomas recovered two fumbled punts in the championship game, including one in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal.

A wide receiver, Thomas did not seem likely to get much of an opportunity to play significant snaps on offense with the Giants even following the departure of Mario Manningham. New York has Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks, as well as Domenik Hixon, Jerrel Jernigan and Ramses Barden. There might be more of an opportunity for Thomas on offense in Chicago.

"I feel like there's a good opportunity for me to come in and battle for a position and contribute on special teams," Thomas said in a statement released by the Bears. "I love the tradition that Chicago has and I felt like it would be a good fit for me."