Arizona released a statement following the ruling. “After seeing the distraction it created, we removed the referendum from the contract. It was clearly perceived in ways that were never intended. Our confidence in Kyler Murray is as high as ever and nothing demonstrates our faith in his ability to lead a team more than the commitment reflected in this contract.’ The Cardinals made a big commitment to Murray by signing the quarterback to a $230.5 million extension before training camp. The franchise raised eyebrows when reports revealed the deal included an unprecedented addendum requiring Murray to complete four hours of independent game study per week, implying the Pro Bowler would have failed to do so otherwise. Murray was then heard calling an impromptu press conference Thursday to criticize the ensuing debate about his work ethic. “I feel it’s necessary (to speak), about what’s going on with me and what’s been said about me,” Murray told reporters. “To think that I can accomplish everything I’ve accomplished in my career and not be a student of the game and not have passion and not take it seriously is almost disrespectful and it’s almost funny.” “I’m flattered, I’m honestly flattered that, at my size, (you think) I can go out there and not prepare for the game and not take it too seriously,” he continued. “It’s disrespectful to my peers, to all the great athletes and great players that are in this league. This game is very difficult, playing the position I play in this league, it’s very difficult (not to study). … It’s funny, but for those of you out there who think that I would be standing here today, in front of you, with no morals and no preparation, I’m honored that you think that, but it’s not happening. It’s not. It’s not possible.” Murray added that he has “put in an unfathomable amount of time and blood and sweat and tears” into becoming the Cardinals’ QB. He declined, however, to say whether he is upset that Arizona will include the study clause in his contract, which he signed. He also didn’t address an earlier New York Times report that quoted him downplaying the necessity of film study in the NFL: “I’m not one of those guys who’s going to sit there and kill himself watching film,” Murray said last December. “I don’t sit there for 24 hours and break down this team and that team and watch every game because, in my mind, I see so much.” This is just the latest in a long line of drama surrounding Murray’s position with the Cardinals this offseason. The QB’s new contract ties him to Arizona through 2028 and makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. But it was not finalized until after public and private tension between the two sides. ESPN reported after the 2021 season that Cardinals management was concerned about Murray’s leadership, and the QB subsequently deleted all references to the Cardinals from social media, before his agent, Erik Burkhardt, essentially demanded a new contract for his client.
