Kyler Murray’s New Contract Has Very Interesting Clause

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray just signed a massive $230.5 million deal with one very interesting clause.

Kyler Murray made it clear early in the offseason that he wanted a new contract with guarantees that would financially protect him going into the future. On Monday, July 25th, he finally signed that new deal that has him in Arizona through 2028.

Murray and his agent, Eric Burkhardt, undoubtedly feel pretty good about where the situation ended up with the now fourth-year passer raking in the cash and becoming the second highest-paid QB in the NFL by annual average ($46.1 million).

On the same day the deal was officially signed, NFL insider Ian Rapoport tweeted out an interesting addendum included in the deal.

Through the lifetime of this contract, Kyler Murray will be contractually obligated to “complete at least four (4) hours of Independent Study (as defined below) each week.”

The original tweet from Ian Rapoport:

Contracts are about give-and-take. One example from #AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray’s $230.5M contract: There is an addendum that requires 4 hours of “independent study” per game week. It was important to the team making a commitment at that level, thus it was important to Murray. pic.twitter.com/VqrkvoBQLJ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2022

As expected, Twitter reactions were swift and varied

Many comments on Rapoport’s tweet were along the lines of “This is a red flag.”

Undoubtedly, many Arizona Cardinals fans are going to feel this way about the unusual language in this clause. It is expected that all players study game film and tape on opponents to be better prepared come game time. So it is slightly concerning that the organization felt this was a necessary addition to Murray’s new deal.

In a controversial New York Times piece from December 2021, Murray openly admitted that he does not watch much film.

“I’m not one of those guys that’s going to sit there and kill myself watching film. I don’t sit there for 24 hours and break down this team and that team and watch every game because, in my head, I see so much.” – Kyler Murray for the New York Times

At the time, the statement stirred up many Cardinals fans that have long been critical of Murray’s attitude and a perceived body language issue that is attributed to poor leadership.

(It is important to note that no one inside the locker room or from the Cardinals organization has ever made open claims about bad leadership from the young quarterback.)

Within minutes of his original tweet, Rapoport clarified with this statement:

Kyler Murray does 4 hours of game studying on his own, anyway. And similar to the team wanting him around for the offseason as the face of the franchise, AZ wanted a commitment in writing while going to a certain place money-wise. Thus, the clause 👇👇👇 https://t.co/2WjSXBCqtv

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 25, 2022

While clearly meant to clear the water of accusations that the organization does not trust Murray, the unusual nature of the clause is enough to make one wonder why they felt this was necessary.

Yes, they are giving Murray an obscene amount of money and they want to protect that investment in certain ways, but so blatantly spelling out basic expectations only provides fodder to fans that already have issues with the franchise QB.

Takes like this one from ProFootballTalk are prevalent on Twitter:

The Kyler Murray homework clause is a colossal blunder by the Cardinals. It makes him look bad for not studying enough, and it makes them look worse for giving him all that money even though he wasn't studying enough.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 25, 2022

Or this one from Jason_OTC:

Deshaun Watson got a contract that has guarantees that stay in place if the NFL suspends him. Kyler Murray has to go to study hall to ensure he doesn't lose his.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) July 25, 2022

What does it all mean?

Honestly? Probably not much. As we are wont to do, we will overreact to snippets on Twitter and ignore some basic facts.

Kyler Murray has made the Arizona Cardinals a better team since walking through those doors. He entered the worst offense in the NFL in 2019 and by 2021 was leading a 7-0 squad and was the betting favorite for MVP.

Beyond on-field results, Murray has brought attention to a franchise that has often been overlooked as “small-market”. Because of the unique things he can do that few others can, more and more football fans outside the world of Arizona sports have started to tune in to watch the Cardinals on Sunday.

Don’t let this clause fool you. The Arizona Cardinals are a better team with Kyler Murray. With the comfort provided by his new contract, you can bet that he will put his all into proving himself not only to AZ fans but the entire NFL.