2018 NFL Draft: Baker Mayfield again heightens immaturity concerns

Recent reports say that Baker Mayfield snubbed the Chicago Bears’ attempt to interview him, again bringing up concerns about his immaturity.

With all but two teams in offseason mode, eyes are on the 2018 NFL Draft. Teams start looking for prospects who can help them win games. Yes, it sometimes becomes a meat market, as scouts measure players on their height, weight, and speed, and study their moves on a wide array of drills.

One of the big assets those scouts look at is a player’s attitude, especially at quarterback. The quarterback is usually the face of the franchise. The hopes of a team’s success land on the shoulders of the signal-caller. Because of that, scouts look for level-headed prospects who fit into their culture.

There have been some quarterbacks who succeeded in college but had questionable attitudes going into the draft. The first player that many people think of is Johnny Manziel — Re: Johnny Football.

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Manziel had an accomplished college career. He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Throughout his college days, however, he got in trouble for off-field transgressions and his attitude was questioned.

Despite those questions, though, he went in the first round. His questionable behavior continued and he spiraled down and ended up in rehab. He only played in 15 NFL games.

Another player that comes to mind is Connor Cook. He had a good career in college, but questions about his attitude arose. His teammates didn’t vote him as a team captain, a big red flag on a player’s attitude. Quarterbacks are always chosen as captains, so if his own teammates don’t see him as captain material that speaks volumes. He ended up going in the fourth round of the 2016 draft and is Derek Carr‘s backup with the Oakland Raiders

Our most recent example is Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner. He led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. He also has questions about his character. He’s had opposing players refuse to shake his hands and tell him to humble himself.

And let’s not talk about his arrest and attempt of fleeing that arrest. Now, there’s more evidence of his attitude problem.

During Senior Bowl practices last week the Chicago Bears requested an interview with Mayfield. Reportedly, he scoffed at the idea since the Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky last year. “What do you want from me?” he reportedly asked them.

Here’s the thing — there could be a number of reasons for that interview. Of course, the Bears don’t intend on drafting him to replace Trubisky. However, interviewing him gives the Bears a chance to see him react to something he isn’t used to dealing with. It gives them a kind of profile for when they face him on the field.

Additionally, the Bears may want to interview him for another team. Some believe the Cleveland Browns may take him with the first overall pick. Mayfield will prepare himself for a Browns interview to the point that he’ll be well polished. If the Bears interview him, though, he’s not so polished. That’s when his true colors come out.

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The fact that Mayfield refused shows those true colors without even having an interview. The whole purpose of him being at the pre-draft camps is to show his physical as well as his mental capabilities. What Baker Mayfield did over the weekend showed all the teams his immaturity. It wasn’t telling of the Bears, it was telling of his suspect character.