Monterey >> The Baltimore Ravens inquired about David Fales. So did the 49ers.

Each time, the Chicago Bears said “no.”

That was enough for the former Palma quarterback to feel wanted.

“I know (the Bears) like me,” said Fales, who took part this week as a coach at the Ron Johnson-Anthony Toney Football Camp at Monterey Peninsula College. “And the Bears did not draft a quarterback this year.”

For the first time since Chicago selected Fales in the sixth round in 2014 out of San Jose State, the 6-foot-2 former MPC standout is healthy, free of any lingering shoulder issues and physically fit.

Fales was a full participant in the Bears’ offseason programs and mini-camps and learned a new offense, his third new system in his three years in Chicago.

“Mini-camps went well,” said Fales, who wasn’t cleared to throw last year until July following shoulder surgery. “There’s always growing pains with terminology with a new system. OTAs (Organized team activities) were intense, with players flying around. A lot of it is the same stuff. But it’s different.”

Activated from the practice squad last year after the Ravens and 49ers came calling during Thanksgiving, Fales spent the final five games of the season as a backup to Jay Cutler.

“Both teams called my agent,” Fales said. “Then he talks to me. The Bears had the option of activating me or letting me go. Obviously having been here for two years, I’m more comfortable with the environment. I like it here. I like the direction we’re headed in.”

This year the Bears added former Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer to be Cutler’s backup, with the 25-year-old Fales currently listed No. 3 on the depth chart.

Over the past two years, Chicago has kept just two quarterbacks on the active roster with Fales being relegated to the practice squad. He has yet to appear in a regular season game.

“I’ve been around some good offensive coordinators here,” Fales said. “But there probably aren’t too many guys that come into this league and learn three new systems in their first three years.”

The last one to go through a similar scenario was current Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith, who went through seven offensive systems in his first seven years in San Francisco.

For all the concerns surrounding Fales’ size and arm strength after shattering numerous records at San Jose State in just two seasons, he’s been sharp in his preseason appearances, completing 34-of-52 attempts for 357 yards and three touchdowns.

Fales, who spent a year at Nevada when Colin Kaepernick was the quarterback before transferring to MPC for one season, made one preseason start last year for the Bears against Cleveland, connecting on 14-of-18 for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

“I felt like I played well in the final preseason game last year,” said Fales, who didn’t toss an interception or get sacked in the game. “As long as I get a chance, everything will sort itself out.”

Whether that means Fales will be in Chicago or with another NFL team by the time the regular season starts is out of his hands. All he can do is make an impression when an opportunity arises in the preseason later this summer.

It doesn’t hurt that new Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains was his quarterbacks coach last year. And new general manager Ryan Pace, who did not draft Fales, has spoken highly of him.

“I can’t get caught up in all that stuff,” said Fales, who led the nation in completion percentage as a senior at San Jose State. “I can’t worry about what I can’t control.”

With his reps in practice likely to be limited once training camp starts in mid-July with three quarterback on the roster, Fales will have to make impressions in practice with his timing and accuracy.

The biggest difference this coming season for Fales is he’s no longer a rookie trying to catch up to the speed of the game like in 2014, and there’s nothing health-wise keeping him from taking a step forward in his third season.

“It’s the best I have felt in a year and a half,” said Fales, who won a league title at Palma, a conference title at MPC and helped San Jose State to its first 11-win season since 1940 in 2012, earning MVP honors in the Military Bowl.

Fales has bounced around from the active roster to the practice squad for Chicago in his first two years, having been released four times and re-signed as soon as he passed through waivers.

Perhaps the biggest disappointment came during his rookie season, when he was cut the week the Bears came out to San Francisco, only to be signed to the practice squad two weeks later.

“I feel there’s a reason why I’m still here,” Fales said. “Things can change so fast. Sometimes it’s out of your hands. For me it still feels like a game. We’re grown men getting paid. But we’re still like a bunch of kids playing football.”

John Devine can be reached at 831-726-4337.