Baker Mayfield may not have been guilty of snubbing Richard Sherman during the coin toss ceremony prior to Monday night’s game, but the San Francisco 49ers cornerback insists he still felt a level of disrespect from Mayfield that he doesn’t get from other players. Sherman is not the only one who feels that way about the former Heisman Trophy winner.
Several NFL veterans have told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report that Mayfield rubs them the wrong way and is “too cocky” for someone who hasn’t won anything at the professional level yet. Freeman said players have been telling him for quite some time that Mayfield acts like he is better than he has shown on the NFL field.
“He acts like he’s won 10 Super Bowls. He hasn’t won any,” one player told Freeman.
Mayfield has a bulldog mentality and tries to show that he isn’t going to be intimidated by players who have been in the NFL longer than him and accomplished more, but Sherman and others feel that comes across as disrespectful. While Freeman notes that some players may be jealous of Mayfield’s high profile, others believe he doesn’t show the level of respect younger players are expected to show to those who laid the foundation before them.
No one would argue that Mayfield is the classiest guy in the NFL. Even if video evidence proved Sherman was lying about some of the handshake drama, there are reasons opponents like Nick Bosa jump at the opportunity to mock Mayfield when they get the best of him. His cockiness has gotten him to where he is today, but it could also make life in the NFL more difficult than it has to be.
