Can Baker Mayfield break from the Johnny Manziel comparison at NFL Combine?

Baker Mayfield is really tired of hearing Johnny Manziel’s name when evaluating the former Oklahoma quarterback’s downside heading into the NFL Combine and Draft.

Mayfield is a Heisman winner and will likely be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, but for now he’s faced with questions about maturity following some highly public off-the-field (and, actually, some on-the-field) incidents over the past year.

So, instead of beating around the bush, SiriusXM NFL Radio’s Kirk Morrison asked Mayfield straight up about the comparison earlier this month at Super Bowl Radio Row. As you might expect, Mayfield would like to distance himself from the former first rounder who couldn’t escape trouble in his brief but tumultuous career in the league.

“If it’s football related, then that’s OK. That guy’s a talented player, always has been,” Mayfield said, referring to Manziel. “The off-the-field stuff, I can’t stand that. Different mentality than him. I’m not caught up in all the other stuff.”

Speaking of the NFL Combine, SiriusXM NFL Radio (Ch. 88) will be in Indianapolis covering all the action. Not only will our expert hosts be breaking down the day’s action, but they’ll be talking to the bigwigs making the decisions in NFL front offices. Already confirmed: Brian Gutekunst (Packers GM), Brett Veach (Chiefs GM), Tom Telesco (Chargers GM) and more. That list is sure to grow, so don’t miss any of the action, Feb. 28 thru March 2.