The NFL story of the week belongs to Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals and the now infamous homework clause.
Murray officially signed his new five-year $230 million extension on Monday. Later that same day Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network tweeted a screenshot of an “Independent Study” contract addendum which stipulates Murray must complete 4 hours of study per game week, excluding bye weeks, during the contract term.
Ok…
First of all this seems unprecedented for an NFL player’s contract. Per one ProFootballTalk source, it is and does not violate the CBA. With careers like Michael Vick’s in the rearview mirror it’s surprising a contract term of this kind hasn’t happened or gone public before.
The fact this addendum even exists seems extremely problematic for everyone involved, especially the NFL itself. Is this the first of more homework clauses to come? I hear the drum beat of curmudgeons detesting the dissemination of NBA’s influence.
Extensive film study has been synonymous with not just elite modern quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, but also defensive legend Ray Lewis. I recall Lewis pontificating how the challenging of facing Manning wasn’t primarily on the field but off it. Lewis spent hours upon hours at home watching film and demanded others join him because Peyton was “clickin” the film remote.
Murray on the other hand does not believe he requires intensive studying outside the Cardinals facility.
“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.”
Kyler Murray to The New York Times
In his playoff debut this past season, the wunderkind posted a blistering 19-34 for 137 yards, zero touchdowns, and two interceptions, before boldly pulling himself from the game.
Colt McCoy not knowing his damn place encouraged Murray to finished the game but that was it for boy wonder.
I can’t, respectfully, only grill Murray for his horrid performance. Head coach Biff… I mean Kliff Kingsberry coaches like DJ Press Play. The Rams physically abused the offensive line and scheme inside and out.
There were seemingly no adjustments in the first half of the game before going into halftime down 21 to zero. Murray look distressed and eventually unhinged when he threw a pick-six in desperation to complete a 6 yard pass.
Not even a healthy DeAndre Hopkins would not have tipped the outcome of the game.
The Rams pressured Murray constantly, covered their receivers, and contained Murray from making plays with his legs.
Was Murray injured? Possibly, but everyone is battling injuries in at this point of the season. Either way the Rams offered very limited opportunities for Murray and his legs to bail out the offense.
The coach is there to support the players and put them in the situations to succeed and win ball games. Kingsberry has never demonstrated consistently this coaching competency.
On the other hand Murray already conceded he can “just see it before it happens” though…
So who should the court of public opinion blame?
Bad coachin’, bad general management (can’t just rely on one receiver), and feeble quarterbacking led to a playoff fiasco. Complete organizational failure.
This homework clause amounts to gross incompetence. You know… I planned to publish this piece on Tuesday. Thankfully life got in the way.
The beat got even tougher!
Thursday evening reports surface the Cardinals removed the independent study addendum amid public scrutiny.
When I drive make a wrong turn I commit to the mistake and get back on course safely, but not these guys.
Both the Cardinals and Murray already agreed to the homework clause. Sure the headlines were embarrassing but don’t forget why you even had it in the first place.
Kyler Murray needs to spend more time preparing during the season, and the fact the Cardinals felt they had to put into his contract screams to the fundamental issue.
Since drafting Murray the Cardinals have coddled and enabled the player.
No one should be surprised at Murray’s behavior and attitude since becoming an NFL prospect whether it’s his awkward pre-draft interview with Dan Patrick, unfollowing and purging all Cardinals related content from his Instagram, or having his agent issue a ransom letter with two years remaining on his contract.
You don’t have to be Adam Schefter to grasp from afar Murray behaves like a stereotypical 24 year older zoomer. Poor “whatever” body language. Facial indifference. Boomers aren’t the only ones guessing he plays COD to relax.
No one is asking Kyler Murray to show archetypal quarterback traits we’ve seen in Patrick Mahomes or even Lamar Jackson. But he does have to show his teammates and the organization he hates losing. That he covets winning.
Holding the team hostage with two years left on your contract after a pathetic playoff performance and a serious lack of commitment to preparation shows Kyler Murray cares more about what comes with being an NFL quarterback than actually being one.
The Cardinals have appeased Kyler with the keys to the team.
Disaesthetic 