Kyler Murray’s Cardinals contract includes a clause about studying

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Kyler Murray’s very big contract is complicated.

Like many NFL contracts, there are absolutely full guarantees. Then there are guarantees if he is healthy enough to play a minimum number of games. There is more guaranteed money given to the Arizona Cardinals quarterback if he shows up to offseason workouts.

There are also obligations he must fulfill to reach anything close to the maximum five years and $230.5 million the contract extension through 2028 could reach.

Apparently, one of those is about independent study. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the language of the deal requires Murray must study four hours per game week outside of his usual team duties.

Not doing that would put the contract in default.

“It’s 100% true that’s going to be in there,” Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro said on Burns & Gambo Monday. “From what I’ve heard, this was something that (owner Michael Bidwill) wanted in the contract — the owner wanted to make sure that Kyler was putting the extra time in. From Kyler’s perspective, this is not a problem. He puts way more time in than that anyway. So they were like, ‘OK, if you want that in there.’ But it is unusual to see that.

“I am hearing from the Kyler side, they’re fine with it. Whatever it is, it is. But they’re OK with it.”

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

That clause is, well, apparently unusual.

This would worry me having/wanting/needing to put this in writing

And…4 hours? https://t.co/csIdNJ5PZZ

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 25, 2022

It’s further under the microscope considering Murray on-the-record admitted that watching film isn’t his favorite activity.

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

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo connected the Murray study clause to the case of Oakland Raiders draft pick JaMarcus Russell.

The No. 1 pick in 2007 was suspected of skipping tape study when his staff sent him home with DVDs of game-planning material. When they gave him a blank DVD and he returned it saying it looked good, their suspicions were reportedly confirmed.

What in the name of JaMarcus Russell's blank DVDs is this?? https://t.co/HIimUwgacf

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 25, 2022

It appears to be exactly how it reads: Making sure their franchise QB studies. Staggering for two reasons:
1. Having to actually put that in writing
2. Knowing we'd all eventually see it and basically putting your QB on blast

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 25, 2022

Anyway, people found humor in the clause.

I’m good, bout to pop on some TV while I study film 🙇🏻‍♀️ https://t.co/8M8RmGPN1p

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) July 25, 2022

I volunteer to be Kyler Murray's Independent Study Advisor for $750 hour.

— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) July 25, 2022

kyler murray nerds
🤝
getting told to watch the games

— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) July 25, 2022

Kyler Murray has homework and can't play video games until it's done.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/Kznep016jY

— Matty J (@MattJohnsonAZ) July 25, 2022

And an aside: The official tablet of the NFL is Microsoft, but “iPad or other electronic device” is the language on the contract.

NFL sponsor Microsoft on seeing that the Kyler Murray homework clause mentions "iPad" multiple times: pic.twitter.com/TSQnHZeSap

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 25, 2022

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