“After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the addendum from the contract,” said the team’s statement, obtained by CNN. “It was clearly perceived in a way that was never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as ever and nothing demonstrates our belief in his ability to lead this team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.”
Earlier this week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that in Murray’s new five-year, $230.5 million contract, the Cardinals had included a clause that required Murray to “complete at least four (4) hours of independent study” during game weeks.
The clause said Murray will not receive credit for independent study on game preparation if “he is not personally studying or watching the material while being shown or playing” or if the player is engaged in activities that may distract him, such as such as television, video games or Internet browsing.
After practice Thursday, Murray held an unannounced press conference, opening with a monologue touting how he’s become one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
“I think it’s necessary, you know, with what’s going on about me and the things that are being said about me,” the 24-year-old told reporters. “To think that I can achieve everything I’ve achieved in my career and not be a student of the game and not have that passion and not take it seriously is disrespectful, and it’s almost a joke.
“Me, I’m flattered. I mean flattered that you all think that, at my size, I can go out and not prepare for the game, and not take it seriously. It’s disrespectful, I think, to to my teammates, to all the great athletes and great players that are in this league. This game is too tough. Playing the position I do in this league, it’s too difficult.”
Murray, however, did not answer questions about whether the clause had bothered him.
Later in the day, Rapoport, citing sources, reported that the clause had been withdrawn on Wednesday. Hours later, the Cardinals released a statement announcing the removal of that requirement.
Murray, who is a keen player, was keen to stress that he would not have got where he has if his work off the field had been below the required standard.
“I’ve put an unbelievable amount of time, blood, sweat, tears and work into what I do, whether it’s football or baseball,” Murray said.
“People don’t understand the amount of time it takes to play two high-level sports in college. Not to mention being the first person to do it at my size, like I said, it’s fun, but to to you. out there who think that I would be here in front of all of you today without a work ethic and without preparation, I’m honored that you think that. But it doesn’t exist. It’s not possible, so that’s all I got in this.”
Murray enters his fourth NFL season in 2022. He has been voted to the Pro Bowl the past two seasons and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
He has become one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league, as he is a threat with both his arm and his legs. In his three NFL seasons, he has thrown for 11,480 yards and 70 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,786 yards and 20 touchdowns.
However, despite his personal success, the Cardinals have only made the playoffs once in his three years at the helm, coming up short last season to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams.