Former Cardinals GM addresses Kyler Murray's work ethic, attention to detail

The Arizona Cardinals faced harsh scrutiny when they placed a homework clause in Kyler Murray's contract extension that seemed to suggest their franchise quarterback could not be trusted to put in extra work. 

This week, former Cardinals general manager Steve Keim addressed that topic on the "Green Light with Chris Long" podcast (via Arizona Sports).

Questions about Murray again surfaced this offseason when offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum said the quarterback still needs to grow. 

“He still needs to grow. (Beachum’s comments are) not slanted toward his character,” Keim said. “He’s not a bad guy. He’s a good kid, has a good smile, has a nice way about him. I think it’s like anything, guys have to continue to learn what it’s going to take to be great. Does he know what Tom Brady and Peyton Manning knows of what it takes to be great? No. 

“Does he work? He does work. I think it’s just that side of the game, the film study, the attention to detail part that he can continue to improve upon. And I think he will. Kyler’s a proud guy, man. He doesn’t want to lose and he doesn’t want to let people down.”

When the Cardinals initially signed Murray to five-year, $230.5 million contract extension it included a clause that said he was required to do four hours of independent film study every week, or else he could potentially forfeit more than $100 million in salary. But when word of that clause became public, the Cardinals faced harsh criticism for it and the clause was eventually removed. 

Murray's career has been defined by inconsistency on the field, while his 2022 season was cut short by a torn ACL that he is working his way back from this offseason. It is not yet known when he will be ready to play for the Cardinals during the 2023 season.