The Kyler Murray saga came to an end on Thursday as the Cardinals quarterback agreed a new five-year extension worth $230.5m, making him the second-highest paid QB in the league based on average annual salary
Tuesday 26 July 2022 10:41, UK
Arizona Cardinals star Kyler Murray has agreed to a contract extension that will make him among the richest quarterbacks in the NFL, according to multiple reports.
The Cardinals officially announced Murray's five-year contract extension on Thursday.
Although they did not disclose financial terms, the deal is reportedly worth $230.5 million - with $160 million guaranteed.
The agreement follows months of back and forth between Murray's camp and the Cardinals.
In February, Murray scrubbed his Instagram page of all references to the Cardinals, making apparent his dissatisfaction with his contract at the time.
His agent later released a statement of more than 1,000 words saying Murray wanted a new contract.
In May, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said he thought the two sides would "be able to get something done this summer".
Murray attended just one session of this year's voluntary OTAs.
Murray, 24, was drafted first overall by the Cardinals in 2019 and quickly established himself as one of the league's top young QBs, helping the Cardinals improve from five wins in 2019 to eight in 2020 then up to 11 in 2021.
In 2021, Murray passed for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions, and he also rushed for 423 yards and five scores last season.
Murray made his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC wild-card round and his performance did not impress. He completed 19 of 34 passes for only 137 yards and two interceptions in a 34-11 loss.
In three seasons, Murray has a 22-23-1 record as a starter. He has passed for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, while rushing for 1,786 yards and 20 scores in 46 starts.
The Cardinals selected Murray out of Oklahoma months after he was named the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner.
Murray's new deal notably features an addendum that states he must study film for four hours per week throughout the course of the season.
The requirement is listed an "independent study addendum" and has four requirements that Murray must fulfil in order to act in accordance with the contract.
He must start the weekly film study on the first Monday following the end of training camp and continue weekly until Arizona's final game of the season, with bye weeks being excluded.
According to the clause, Murray must study "the material provided to him by the Club in order to prepare for the Club's next upcoming game."
Credit will not be given for independent study if Murray is not "personally studying or watching the material while it is being displayed or played" in instances where he's using an iPad or other type of electronic device, per the contract.
If Murray is simultaneously doing something else that distracts him when film is being played, he won't get credit, either.
If Murray fails to record his weekly four hours of independent film study, he will be ruled to be "in default."
The addendum begins this season and lasts through 2028, when the Cardinals can pick up a club option.
Murray, 24, agreed to the extension on Thursday. He threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns last season and went 9-5 in his 14 starts.