Zach Ertz on Kyler Murray contract controversy: He knows the playbook better than anyone on this team

Last week, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray received the payday he’d been looking for – a five-year, $230.5 million deal that includes $160 million guaranteed and will keep him with the franchise through the 2028 NFL season.

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. If Murray fails to do so, he will be considered in “default” of the contract – though the controversial clause has since been removed.

Once the contract details were released, many took to social media to discuss the addendum that seemingly took a shot at Murray not wanting to learn the playbook, though Murray’s tight end Zach Ertz had his back. Ertz noted after training camp this week that he’s never felt any distain between Murray, his work ethic and commitment to the Arizona Cardinals.

“Anytime I brought up questions about how their defense was playing certain techniques or whatever, he knew what I was talking about,” Ertz said Tuesday, via the team website’s Darren Urban. “From my standpoint, I’m not in there watching film with him, obviously … but anytime I wanted to talk about certain techniques they were doing or something I saw based on my study, he was on the same page with me the majority of the time.”

The controversial ‘independent study’ clause that seemingly took a shot at Murray’s ability to perform as a franchise quarterback. What seemed like an insult to the two-time Pro Bowl selection has since been cleared up as a misunderstanding, according to a statement released by the Cardinals Thursday night.

“The addendum is what it is, but in my opinion, Kyler knows the playbook inside and out,” Ertz said.

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 – something only a player with extensive knowledge of the playbook could accomplish.