The Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray have had their ups and downs in the past. In 2022, Murray inked one of the highest-paid deals in the NFL with a 5-year $230 million extension but couldn’t keep up with the Cardinals’ expectations. His contract included a “homework clause” that not only caused a divide between Murray and his team but also led people to question his work ethic.

Last year, a John Doe inside the Cardinals reported to Michael Silver of the Bally Sports that “Once paid, the veteran said, Murray felt less compulsion to study his game plan or to fulfill the expectations of the franchise QB,” as the QB’s contract required him to spend at least 4 hours studying the opposing team as “homework.” This created mistrust between the QB, and his team and Murray defended himself to the media. But this year, things are different.

Kyler Murray is making up after a disastrous 2023 season

The Arizona Cardinals finished 4-13 in their last season with Kyler Murray missing out on almost half of the season. He suffered a non-contact ACL injury on December 12, 2022. But this time, the QB is putting more effort on the field and is committed to bounce back. His teammate, RB Michael Carter can attest to those efforts.

Carter spoke to Arizona Sports radio station and had a story to tell about Murray and how he’s committed to delivering this year. “The more I’ve gotten to know him, I don’t think he ever leaves (the Cardinals training facility),” said the RB and added, “I’m in the building right now — I don’t think he leaves here. I don’t. He’s always in here. He’s the freakin’ first person in. I’m sure he’s the last person out.”

In 2022, the Cardinals got a lot of backlash after giving Murray an extension that required him to do 4 hours of independent study each week. Fans and NFL analysts ripped into the Cardinals for not trusting their quarterback and his work ethic. However, later they decided to remove the clause and told the media that their intentions were misunderstood. Murray’s contract said that the hours wouldn’t count if the QB was “watching television, playing video games or browsing the internet.”

Now, things have taken a different trajectory and Murray has had plenty of time to bounce back. In fact, he’s first in the building and leading by example. It was again confirmed by Murray’s RB, Michael Carter in the radio show. “I know for a fact he’s probably the last person out (of the facility),” Carter said. “Because there’s some times when I try to be the first person in. Last week, one time I was like; ‘You know what? Let me just try to be the first person in.’ I think we had a meeting at 9:15. I think I might’ve got here at like 7:15, maybe. That’s two hours, you know? That Lambo already here. … He’s always in the building. A lot of credit to him.”

But despite people trying to bury his name in the dust, Murray came out and defended himself in the best possible way he could against what was possibly the most doubted time in his career.

The Cardinals star taking a stand for himself

Murray told the media that he felt “disrespected” by his team’s antics. The mistrust could easily cause problems between both parties as it may come off as the Cardinals not thinking that Murray was capable enough for the job. Upon the team removing the clause from his contract, Murray replied, “To think that I can accomplish everything that I’ve accomplished in my career, and not be a student of the game and not have that passion and not take this serious is disrespectful.”

The QB felt like his work ethic and his time with the Cardinals were under apprehension and didn’t hold back from speaking his mind. “I refuse to let my work ethic, my preparation be questioned. I’ve put an incomprehensible amount of time and blood, sweat, tears and work into what I do,” said Murray and added, “To those of you out there that believe that I’d be standing here today in front of you all without having a work ethic … I’m honored that you think that, but it doesn’t exist. It’s not possible.”

Other accusations on the QB said Murray used to call his girlfriend in the middle of the game and that he escaped to the locker room and spent his time alone while listening to music. All these allegations were later proved wrong by a Cardinals reporter Kyle Odegard, who said that they were “flat-out lies.”

In the last season, Murray played just 8 games and had 1,799 yards and 10 touchdowns to his name. Of course, he was struggling with the injury during this time, which hindered him from putting his best foot forward. Hopefully, Kyler Murray is shooting for the stars this season.