Bears Depth Chart: Quarterback
Position Battle:
None: Cutler has the starting job locked up and Hoyer is the back-up.
Roster Battle:
Fales vs Blanchard
Not only did the Bears pass on drafting a QB, but they didn’t even sign one as an undrafted free agent. That leads me to believe that they consider either Fales or Blanchard (or both) worth developing. It’s unlikely the Bears keep four QBs on the roster, so let’s break down the match-up below:
David Fales (6’2 | 220) – Former 6th round pick in 2014 out of Fresno St who was a prolific passer in college, completing 68.1% of his passes for 8,382 yards, 66 touchdowns, and 22 interceptions in two seasons as a starter.
His stats were inflated due to a spread offense in college which may have caused him to slip to late in day three of the draft. Fales hasn’t had much chance to show what he can do at the pro level except for one exceptional game against the Browns in last year’s preseason (14/18, 131 yards, 2 TDs). His performance was good enough to elicit trade offers from at least four teams (NE, SF, BAL, CLE) and the Bears blocked all of them despite looking to add future draft picks.
Fales lacks ideal size and arm strength, but is a very accurate passer with good footwork and mechanics who could be an excellent fit in the Bears quick strike offense. He wasn’t drafted by the new regime, but has had a year to learn the system and the Bears reluctance to trade him makes me think the Bears new brass likes what they see in Fales potential.
Matt Blanchard (6’3 | 225) – If his name sounds familiar, it’s because this is the second time the Bears have had Blanchard on the roster. They signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2012 after Blanchard went 25-0 as a starter for DIII Wisconsin-Whitewater, leading them to back-to-back national titles. His stats were even more impressive; Blanchard completed 70.4% of his passes, threw 44 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
Granted their is a big gap in the competition level Blanchard and Fales (DI) played against during college, but over the last four seasons Blanchard has had stints with four different NFL teams, which should have him well adjusted to the pace of the NFL game. Blanchard’s skill-set is similar to Fales’ in that they are both very accurate on short-to-intermediate throws, are smart with the ball, and have underrated athleticism.
The Bears liked Blanchard enough to outbid an unnamed AFC team for his services this off-season, but he will have to beat out Fales for a spot on the Bears roster or practice squad in 2016.
Prediction:
I think Fales is the better NFL QB prospect, but that doesn’t guarantee he ends up as the Bears 3rd QB in 2016. With multiple teams interested in Fales services and him not being hand-picked by the Bears new leadership… A strong training camp and preseason from Fales could lead to a trade for much needed draft picks, if Blanchard can prove he is good enough to the Bears 3rd QB job.
My prediction is that Fales slightly outplays Blanchard, which leads to a trade to a team with less depth at quarterback, leaving Blanchard to handle the developmental 3rd QB job for the Bears in 2016.
Player to Watch: Matt Blanchard
No team can have enough competent QBs and if Blanchard proves that he has NFL ability, it could free the Bears to trade Fales for some much needed future draft picks. If Blanchard disappoints, then the Bears keep Fales as the number 3 QB and possibly use a 2017 draft pick on a QB to develop for the future.