Arizona Cardinals REMOVE study clause in Kyler Murray’s $230.5million contract

The Arizona Cardinals have sensationally removed the ‘independent study’ addendum from quarterback Kyler Murray’s $230.5million contract. 

Last week, Arizona gave the Oklahoma product a new five-year contract after a promising two years in the NFL.

It was revealed on Monday that the former Heisman winner’s new five-year deal includes an ‘independent study’ clause, requiring him to review four hours of game film per week throughout the season. Since, it has caused uproar across all forms of media, which led to the Cardinals removing it altogether.

The NFC West club released a statement Thursday explaining their decision: ‘After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract. 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 out belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.’

As NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed Monday, the former Heisman winner’s new five-year, $230 million deal includes an ‘independent study addendum’ requiring him to review four hours of game film per week throughout the season. Failing to comply would result in Murray being deemed to ‘be in Default,’ according to the contract language

The clause was particularly interesting given Murray’s comments back in 2021 that he is ‘not one of those guys that’s going to sit there and kill myself watching film.’

Murray defended himself on Thursday morning in a surprise appearance in front of the media at Cardinals training camp, insisting it is ‘disrespectful… almost a joke’ that people could think he has reached the top of the NFL without studying opponents.

He went on to say that ‘this game is too hard’ to do otherwise, as reported by Cardinals writer Darren Urban, before he then refused to answer a question about whether he was angry at the team for inserting the rare clause into his contract.

It remains unclear why the Cardinals felt the clause to be necessary, and team spokespeople did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment when asked earlier in the week.

Murray (left) is one of the top prospects in the NFL, and is already a two-time Pro Bowler at 24

Murray was never accused publicly of failing to prepare for opponents – a process that typically involves a significant amount of film study. Some quarterbacks not only watch the game film, but also help produce individual versions designed for specific teammates, reflecting their individual assignments.

The 24-year-old, who won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in his first year in 2019, is also a two-time Pro Bowler and widely regarded as one of the biggest talents in the NFL.

Not only was Murray taken with the first pick in the NFL Draft, but he was also chosen by the A’s with the ninth pick of the 2018 MLB Draft ahead of Tampa Bay Rays pitcher and All-Star starter, Shane McClanahan. 

 Murray says it is ‘disrespectful… almost a joke’ for people to think he doesn’t watch film

As an outfielder at Oklahoma, Murray hit .296 with 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases in 2018. 

With the Cardinals last season, Murray helped them to go 11-6 in the regular season, before they fell to the eventual Super Bowl winners – the LA Rams – in the Wild Card playoffs in the postseason.