Cardinals’ QB Kyler Murray’s $230 Million Contract Requires Him To Study Film – Or Forfeit Pay

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after converting a two-point conversion against the Detroit Lions during the final moments of the second half of the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Lions and Cardinals tied 27-27 (Photo: Getty)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray just signed an extension worth $230 million, cementing himself as Arizona’s franchise quarterback for the better part of the next decade. However, the contract contains language that could cause Murray to forfeit the majority of the contract.

According to reports, there is an addendum in the contract that requires four hours of “independent study” each game week.

The contract requires the 24-year-old to study “material provided to him by the Club in order to prepare for the Club’s next upcoming game.” He must “personally study the provided material in good faith.”

Study within mandatory team meetings also does not count towards those four hours. The clause also requires that Murray pay full attention, and he will not be allowed to play video games, surf the internet, or watch TV during the sessions.

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The clause comes following a season where the Cardinals lost four of their final five games and were blown out in the NFC Wild Card, by eventual champion Los Angeles Rams.

During the offseason, the front office stated that Murray needed to work on his maturity and leadership in order to help strengthen his role at quarterback.

As for film study, Murray has already garnered a reputation for not being present in the film room.

In a 2021 New York Times profile, Murray said, “I think I was blessed with the cognitive skills to just go out there and just see it before it happens, 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.”

Murray was the number one overall pick in 2019 out of the University of Oklahoma.

Murray was a standout for the Sooners, winning the Heisman in 2018.

In his first three seasons in the NFL, he has been named to the Pro Bowl twice, picked up Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, and has made the playoffs once.

Noah Odige