Chicago rookie QB David Fales to play the entire game against the Browns

The Chicago Bears will get a long extended look at rookie 6th round draft pick David Fales.

Rookie David Fales says he'll play the entire #bears game against #browns

— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) August 25, 2014

Jimmy Clausen will warm up and be ready in case of emergency. Hopefully it doesn't come to that.

In the five years the Bears have had Jay Cutler under center, the team opened their season with three quarterbacks two times. In 2010 the Bears opened up with Jay, Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie and in 2011 it was Cutler, Hanie and Nathan Enderle.

Enderle was a 5th round pick by the Bears in 2011 and a favorite of then offensive coordinator Mike Martz. 2011 was both Enderle's and Matrz' last year in Chicago.

In 2010 the Chicago Bears drafted QB Dan LeFevour in the 5th round, only to release him on the final cut down day. They hoped he would clear waivers and end up back on their practice squad. He didn't. The Cincinnati Bengals claimed him and kept him as their 3rd stringer that year.

I think that by the Bears giving Fales the entire game on Thursday, that they intend to keep him on their final roster.

Why allow him the opportunity to shine if they were unsure about trying to sneak him through to the practice squad?

Let's take a look at how the Bears have handled the QB position in the 4th preseason game during the Jay Cutler era.

In 2009 the Bears started Cutler against the Browns in the 4th preseason game, only to have him hand off six times. Hanie and then Brent Basanez finished the game. Basanez was cut after the game and made it back to their practice squad. Second year pro Hanie stuck as Jay's backup.

The 2010 Bears' preseason finale saw Collins start with LeFevour playing the second half. Veteran Collins stuck around as the #2 with Hanie sticking at #3.

In 2011 Chicago split the last preseason game between Hanie and Enderle. Both remained employed by the Bears and I believe LeFevour being plucked up by Cincinnati in '10 played into the decision to keep Enderle around.

In 2012 the Bears allowed veteran Josh McCown to play the entire game against the Browns. They decided to cut him after the game. McCown impressed enough that he was kept on speed dial and he rejoined the Bears later that year when Cutler suffered a concussion.

In 2013 the Bears let veterans Jordan Palmer and Trent Edwards split the final preseason game, then cut both before the season started. Palmer was brought back when Cutler went down with an injury in week seven to back up McCown.

I'd expect Palmer to receive the speed dial treatment again this year if something were to happen to Cutler.

EDIT: Palmer has been signed by the Buffalo Bills.

Even though I think Fales makes the final 53 man roster, I don't think the Bears feel he has a strong enough grasp of the offense to play meaningful reps this year.

What do you predict the Bears do with David Fales this season?