An interesting detail of Kyler Murray's lucrative new contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals could shed light on the apparently fraught negotiations that eventually led to the monster payday.
On Monday it was reported that Murray's $230.5 million deal calls for the former Heisman Trophy winner to commit to at least four hours of "independent study" per game week.
The so-called "homework clause," as it was dubbed by Pro Football Talk and others, requires that Murray study “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 and other team functions doesn’t count.
Murray, who turns 25 next month, had previously admitted that he's not big on poring over game film because he sees it all in real-time on the field and even anticipates certain plays days in advance.
“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 December. “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.”
It seems the Cardinals had taken note of Murray's lack of preparation in this arena, and didn't appreciate it. The study clause is essentially unprecedented in the annals of NFL contracts, PFT reported, citing a source.
The apparent disagreement over Murray's weekly preparation might explain in part why the Cardinals seemed to drag their feet on working on a new deal for the former No. 1 overall draft pick. At one point during the offseason, Murray scrubbed any mention of the Cardinals from his social media channels, indicating he was ready to play hard ball and potentially force a trade if need be.
But the sides seemed to soften their stances over the passing weeks and months, and they eventually reached agreement on the five-year extension, with $160 million in guaranteed money. The deal, which kicks in in 2023, has the second-highest annual average salary after Aaron Rodgers' $50 million.
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