NY Jets: Will the Jets re-sign or decline David Fales?

The NY Jets have decisions to make on 21 unrestricted free agents this coming March. One little-known player whose contract is expiring is quarterback David Fales.

The NY Jets will be faced with numerous very difficult decisions this offseason, particularly in regards to their in-house free agents. From Robby Anderson to Brian Poole to Jordan Jenkins, the Jets have a number of key players set to hit the open market.

But one player that surely no one will be talking about is quarterback David Fales.

In this re-sign or decline series, we have been covering the more notable free agents the Jets have such as the aforementioned Anderson and Kelvin Beachum. But we won’t just be talking about the high-profile players on the team.

We’ll also be talking about the David Fales of the world.

Fales was originally drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears nearly six years ago. The San Jose State product would spend his first two NFL seasons split between the Bears’ practice squad and active roster before he was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens.

His 2016 season would be split between the Ravens and Bears practice squad (his second stint with the team) before he finally made his NFL debut in a Week 17 blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Fales completed 2-of-5 passes for 22 yards in what would be his final appearance with the team that drafted him.

In the offseason, Fales would sign on with the Miami Dolphins where he would finally see his first taste of extended action — once again in Week 17 — relieving starter Jay Cutler after the first series and going 29-of-42 for 265 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

His performance would help keep him on the roster throughout all of 2018, although he never appeared in a game. Fales signed on with the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2019 preseason but he was waived in late August.

That’s when his former coach in Adam Gase came calling.

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Should the Jets re-sign him?

Fales was signed to the Jets roster after an injury to Trevor Siemian and the release of Luke Falk and he would serve as the team’s backup quarterback for the majority of the season.

The 29-year-old appeared in two games but failed to record a single statistic apart from a garbage-time sack taken in the Jets’ ugly Week 5 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. In total, he only played eight offensive snaps in 2019.

There’s really no reason the Jets should look to bring back Fales given his age and lack of NFL experience. The Jets need a new backup quarterback unless they’re content rolling the dice on Trevor Siemian again.

David Fales isn’t that player and they could certainly do better with a cheaper, younger third option as a camp arm.

Will the Jets re-sign him?

While you could never count out the familiarity factor that’s in play between Gase and Fales, the odds are that the Jets let Fales walk in free agency.

He’ll likely sign on with another team and receive a chance to fight for a roster spot in the preseason, but don’t expect that team to be the Jets.

Gang Green already has former Dallas Cowboys fifth-round pick Mike White on the roster with a reserve/futures contract meaning that their cheaper, younger third option is likely already on the team.

Fales doesn’t have a role and there’s very little chance the Jets bring him back. But I suppose, you never know with Adam Gase.

Odds of re-signing: 10%