After Ravens, 49ers Inquire, David Fales Happy To Stay With Bears
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Soon after Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was lost for the season with a torn ACL on Sunday, Baltimore offensive coordinator Marc Trestman was pushing for a quarterback that he trusts.
As the Bears' former coach, Trestman was part on the braintrust that selected David Fales in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. A San Jose State product, Fales was an intriguing late-round prospect, and Trestman wanted a part of developing him. So early this week, Trestman wanted his Ravens to sign Fales off the Bears' practice squad, a move denied by Chicago when it elevated Fales to the active roster.
"It was really him pushing for it, and he wanted me," Fales said Tuesday.
The Ravens weren't the only team that inquired about adding Fales. The 49ers contacted the Bears, too, hoping to add Fales after shutting down Colin Kaepernick for the season. But the Bears countered by elevating Fales and waiving quarterback Jimmy Clausen. On Tuesday, the Ravens added Clausen as their backup quarterback to Matt Schaub.
With a chance to reflect, Fales is happy with the way it all played out and his new job as Chicago's backup quarterback.
"I wanted to be here," Fales said. "I think it's a good situation here. There might have been a faster opportunity to play there, but I feel like this is the right system. Whenever that opportunity comes, I feel like this is the right system -- definitely."
Fales was selected by Trestman and former Bears general manager Phil Emery, both of whom valued the quarterback's potential. First-year general manager Ryan Pace had no prior connection to Fales, but he, too, believed his potential is worth a longer look.
For Fales, the vote of confidence is something he greatly appreciates. Now he feels the chance to prove his abilities in a more sustained situation.
"It's good that they made the move," Fales said. "It shows that they do want me. It builds a lot of trust between me, Pace, coach (John) Fox and Adam (Gase). It's a good feeling being wanted and me wanting to be here."
