Bears hold on to rookie QB David Fales, add him to active roster

Teams came after rookie quarterback David Fales and the Bears made sure to hold on to him. Fales was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad on Saturday.

The New England Patriots tried to sign Fales off the Bears’ practice squad and the San Diego Chargers also had interest in the sixth-round pick from San Jose State.

If the Patriots or Chargers signed Fales, he would have joined their active rosters. But Fales, a record-setting quarterback in college, had a strong desire to stay with the Bears. Fales was signed to the Bears’ practice squad on Sept. 15 after making the first 53-man roster.

To make room for Fales, the Bears placed veteran linebacker Darryl Sharpton, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since Week 8, on injured reserve.

“[Promoting Fales] was in the best interests of the team,” coach Marc Trestman said. “That’s the benefit of getting him up is the fact they can’t take him off the practice squad.”

Fales said he’s in a “really good situation” with Trestman, quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.

“Definitely, it’s awesome,” Fales said. “It’s good for me and my family and I’m excited, but still going to prepare the way I’ve been weeks before. I’m really excited.”

Fales also said he’s benefited from working with quarterback Jay Cutler.

“With his experience, there are so many things that he sees that I don’t — different matchups, different stuff that defenses go,” Fales said. “He sees it immediately. So it’s good having him around all of the time and being able to pick his brain, and then just fundamentals and stuff, throwing the ball. He does a lot of stuff naturally that other guys don’t do so just watching him you kind of pick some little stuff up.”