Kyler Murray’s massive contract includes studying clause

The Arizona Cardinals made Kyler Murray a very rich man last week, giving him a five-year deal that’s reportedly worth $230.5 million. They’re also making him do some extra work at home. 

An independent study addendum was included in Murray’s contract, according to a document obtained by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Monday. The addendum requires Murray to “complete at least four hours of independent study” during game weeks. 

In the independent sessions, Murray must study the materials the Cardinals give him and he won’t receive credit if he isn’t engaged with the material or he’s doing another activity, such as playing video games or using social media, when the Cardinals’ material is being displayed. 

If Murray breaches the independent study clause, his contract will default. In that case, the superstar quarterback could jeopardize his guaranteed money, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. Murray will receive $160 million guaranteed for injury, making $105 million of that guarantee at signing, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Murray completed 333 of 481 passes last season for a 69.1% percentage, the best of his three-year career. He threw 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The Cardinals reached the playoffs, losing 34-11 to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round. But Arizona faded down the stretch, losing four of its final five games.

Murray already does four hours of studying alone a week and the Cardinals wanted the study clause in writing as part of the new contract, Rapoport reported. However, there have been concerns over Murray’s study habits during game preparation in the past. 

In December 2021, Murray shared his film study habits with the New York Times’ Ben Shpigel, which included occasional breaks to play video games or to watch his favorite movie, “The Great Gatsby.”

“I think I was blessed with the cognitive skills to just go out there and just see it before it happens,” Murray said. “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.”

Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt said he hasn’t “seen this in 30 years of looking at NFL contracts.”

“So Kyler Murray can forfeit up to $100 million of guaranteed money if he doesn’t do 4 hours of homework one week. There will be lawyers..,” Brandt wrote in part of a series of tweets discussing Murray’s contract