14 January 2023 , 23:29
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The Arizona Cardinals ‘created a monster’ when they awarded quarterback Kyler Murray with a bumper new contract last summer, according to an anonymous teammate.
Murray was in the headlines for much of the last year after his agent applied public pressure on the Cardinals to sign the quarterback to a long-term contract. Back in July, Murray eventually put pen to paper on a five-year extension worth £188million with £130m guaranteed.
The 25-year-old, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 after he was selected first overall by Arizona, seemingly showcased enough ability and production to earn the monster new contract after establishing himself as the franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future. However, Murray struggled to stay healthy and threw for just 2,368 yards along with 14 touchdowns while the Cardinals slipped to a 4-13 record.
Since the awful Cardinals season came to an end, the franchise have moved to fire head coach Kliff Kingsbury while general manager Steve Keim quit amid reported health concerns. Meanwhile, Murray suffered a torn ACL and his availability for the 2023 season is in doubt.
According to Bally Sports , a player reportedly said the contract bestowed on Murray ‘created a monster’ when they tied him down to Arizona for a foreseeable future. The player reportedly added that once Murray’s salary is guaranteed, he ‘felt less compulsion to study his game plan, or to fulfil the expectations of the franchise QB position than he had in the past’.
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The anonymous player’s concerns are likely linked to the unprecedented stipulation originally included in Murray’s contract that required the quarterback to ‘complete at least four (4) hours of independent study’ during game weeks, insisting he needed to study material provided to him by the Cardinals in order to appropriately prepare for each game throughout each season of the deal. It also stated that the work would not count if he was ‘not personally studying or watching the material while it is being displayed or played’ - or if the player is involved in activities that could distract his attention, including television, video games or the internet.
Kyler Murray is currently recovering from an ACL tear sustained in the regular season (Ross D Franklin/AP/REX/Shutterstock)After the stipulation was widely reported, Murray held an impromptu press conference in which he appeared frustrated that people could think he could achieve the success he has in his career without being a ‘student of the game’, particularly given his shorter stature. He didn’t answer whether he was upset by the inclusion of the clause, but it was swiftly removed which suggests so.
The Cardinals reached the playoffs in 2021 where they fell to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Los Angeles Rams. However, the franchise endured a torrid 2022 and now enter the offseason without a head coach or general manager while they are reportedly ready to trade star receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
Legendary defensive end JJ Watt also retired to leave another gaping hole in the Cardinals. Murray’s ability once he returns from his injury will be key in determining the hopes of the franchise going forwards.