The controversial “independent study addendum” that was part of Kyler Murray’s new $230.5 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals has been removed by the team.
The Cardinals released a statement on the decision through ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
“After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract,” the statement reads. “It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended.”
“Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as it’s ever been and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.”
The addendum initially included in the new contract would have required that Murray complete four hours of “independent study” of film each game week.
Murray would have been required to study “material provided to him by the Club in order to prepare for the Club’s next upcoming game.” The quarterback would then receive “credit” for completing his film study, according to the addendum.
However, the addendum stated the time that Murray spent in mandatory meetings studying film would not count and that Murray also would not have received credit if he did not “personally study the provided material in good faith.”
The addendum continued by stating that Murray would not have received credit if he was doing something that could distract him or draw his attention elsewhere while the material was playing.
Failure to meet the addendum’s requirements would have resulted in Murray being “deemed to be in default” of his contract.
NFL teams regularly include clauses in contracts that require players to attend offseason workouts, reach specific weight goals, or achieve other tangible goals. A clause requiring a player to study film independently outside team meetings was considered unprecedented.
The addendum sparked plenty of attention, especially since some saw it as the team not trusting Murray to prepare for a game on his own.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was the first to reveal the clause. He noted that Murray already studied film on his own, and the addendum was simply about making something that already happened official.
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
Murray responded to the controversy during a Thursday press conference, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.
He claimed the implication that he could be a Pro Bowl quarterback in the NFL if he were not a “student of the game” was “disrespectful.”
The 5’10” quarterback said, “I’m flattered that y’all think that at my size I can go out there and not prepare for the game and not take it serious.”
Murray’s response is hard to question, considering he has an Offensive Rookie of the Year award and two Pro Bowl selections to his name in just three seasons. He excelled again in 2021, completing 69.2% of his passes for 3,787 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions to go with 423 yards and five scores on the ground.
Arizona head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters Monday that he had no say regarding the addendum, adding that his primary role in Murray’s contract extension talks was “prayer and pleading.”
Murray’s new deal carries an average annual value of $46.1 million, the second-highest in the league behind Green Bay Packers star and two-time reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers’ $50.3 million annual salary.
Bad move the knock on him has always been lazy and doesnt study game films…and he admitted it