Booger McFarland weighs in on strange addendum in Kyler Murray's contract

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray became the second-highest paid player in the NFL this past week when he signed a contract extension worth $230.5 million. However, with that big pay day comes extra responsibility for the fourth-year pro.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday that an addendum to the contract will require Murray to put in at least four hours of “independent study” during each week of the season (excluding the bye). If Murray fails to do so, he will be considered in “default” of the contract.

ESPN analyst Booger McFarland responded to Rapoport’s tweet, claiming the requirement is a sign of distrust from the franchise in its star quarterback.

“We don’t think you work hard enough,” McFarland wrote. “And for them to put this in a contract means they don’t trust you cause they could’ve easily had a convo off the record directly with Kyler and we would’ve never known.”

And for them to put this in a contract means they don’t trust you cause they could’ve easily had a convo off the record directly with Kyler and we would’ve never known

— Booger (@ESPNBooger) July 25, 2022

The addendum in Kyler Murray’s contract defines independent study as when the “player studies the material provided to him by the club in order to prepare for the next game.” It sounds as if the study time will be tracked via an iPad and Murray must not be “engaged in any other activity that may distract his attention.” Examples of this provided in the contract include watching television, playing video games or browsing the internet.

In three seasons with the Cardinals, Murray has completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 11,480 yards and 70 touchdowns, throwing 34 interceptions. Moreover, a dual-threat quarterback, Murray has rushed for 1,786 yards and 20 touchdowns, making him just one of two players in NFL history with 10,000 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in his first three seasons.

This past season was the Cardinals’ best yet since Murray arrived in 2019, as they finished 11-6 and made the playoffs for the first time in five years. Unfortunately, it would end in the wild card round as they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion the Los Angeles Rams. The lack of playoff success so far could be one reason for the addendum in the contract.

Murray had been seeking an extension since back in February, when he deleted all photos related to the Cardinals from his Instagram. Now he has finally gotten his wish, but it comes with a caveat.

Arizona is set to open up the 2022 season on Sept. 11 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Once training camp ends, Murray will be putting in the work to study for his first opponent.