Bears add QB Matt Barkley, swap out longsnappers

In an unusual move, the Bears swapped out longsnappers Monday — 48 hours after making the opposite decision.

The Bears cut Aaron Brewer and re-signed Patrick Scales. On Saturday, they cut Scales to keep Brewer, who had spent the previous four years as the Broncos’ snapper.

The team also named Matt Barkley its practice-squad quarterback. The former Gatorade National Player of the Year in high school, Barkley was the first true freshman to ever start the season as USC’s quarterback. The shine came off Barkley as his career wore on, though, and he was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by the Eagles.

The Bears also cut veteran guard Amini Silatolu, who was expected to be a reserve. He was rendered redundant when the Bears signed three-time Pro Bowler Josh Sitton, meaning that either rookie Cody Whitehair or vet Ted Larsen will start the season on the bench.