From speculation this offseason that the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray were headed for a split, to a July contract extension that makes him the second highest paid player in the NFL by annual salary.
With a total value of $230 million and $160 million in guarantees, the Cardinals and Murray seem to be very committed to one another.
Until… there was a leak. A clause in Murray’s contract was shown to the media, and it didn’t make either side look all that great.
It has been revealed that the contract contains a requirement that Murray spend four hours of homework each game week during the season. The clause, titled “Independent Study Addendum between Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray” reads:
“Player shall complete at least four (4) hours of Independent Study (as defined below) each week (excluding any bye week) during each Playing Season (as defined below) during the term of the Contract.”
So what are those definitions?
“Independent Study means Player studies the material provided to him by the Club in order to prepare for the Club’s next upcoming game, including without limitation any such material provided via an iPad or other electronic device. Time spent in mandatory meetings shall not constitute Independent Study. Player shall receive no credit for Independent Study for any period which Player does not personally study the material in good faith.”
Say what?
Can you imagine the Buccaneers having to tell Tom Brady to study? Do you think the contract for Patrick Mahomes includes a provision regarding a team-provided iPad that he has to spend four hours a week with?
Murray is a professional football player and now a very rich one. He’s the quarterback, the leader of the team, the face of the franchise, the future of the franchise.
Does he really need to be cajoled into studying up on next week’s opponent? And is four hours a week really all that it takes to be a championship quarterback?
The reality is that if Murray was a tape hound, diving into the defensive looks of his upcoming opponent, there would be no need for this clause. This is like labels on shirts warning against ironing them while wearing them. The only reason the label exists is because someone proved it necessary.
And Murray looks even worse as the clause goes on, and further explains what doesn’t count toward his four hours of study.
“Player shall not receive any credit for Independent Study with respect to any time periods during which any material is displayed on an iPad or other electronic device if (a) Player is not personally studying or watching the material… or (b) Player is engaged in any other activity that may distract his attention (for example, watching television, playing video games, or browsing the internet).”
Essentially the Cardinals are treating Murray like a ninth grader who is making a D in Algebra, and now they are going to monitor his homework via an iPad they have access to.
If he plays video games or browses the internet while he should be studying, they’ll take his cell phone away and make him take out the garbage for a week.
How does a front office and coaching staff build a relationship of trust with their franchise quarterback when this is what they think of him?
And if this really is how little you trust your quarterback, why give him for $46.1 million per season? Why place the entire future of the franchise, which is also the future of general manager Steve Keim and head coach Kliff Kingsbury, in the hands of someone you can’t trust for four hours a week?
Murray’s own comments may have created this clause. He told the New York Times several months ago;
“I’m not one of those guys that’s going to sit there and kill myself watching film. I was blessed with cognitive skills to just go out there and just see it before it happens.”
Murray is obviously very athletically gifted. He’s also shown enough at this point to justify an extension. But the very first time he sees a defensive look that he’s not ready for, the recriminations from Cardinals fans will be swift. And deserved.
Enahance your winning in NFL betting or fantasy play through our quality stats. With your subscription you get...
Quality Stats
Our simple to use, ground-breaking Quality Stats power the winning game coverate at CHFF, which has produced an incredible record fo success analying teeams and agames for football bettors for over 20 years.
Game Capsule | + |
Prop Wagers | + |
Leader Boards | + |
Future Odds | + |
News | + |
Tanner Kern breaks down the biggest news from the NFL world, discusses fantasy football stategy, and gives his future bets for the 2022 season on the debut of the CHFF Show.