USC head coach Lincoln Riley. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lincoln Riley: 'Couldn't be happier' for Kyler Murray's contract extension

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Alex Evans | Last updated 7/21/22

Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals agreed to a contract extension on Thursday that made Murray the second-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL, and Murray’s former college coach was thrilled with the news.

Murray’s deal is worth $230.5M over five years, including $160M guaranteed. Only Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has a contract with more guaranteed money ($230M).

Lincoln Riley, Murray’s college coach for two seasons at Oklahoma, reacted to Murray’s deal on Twitter with a prideful message for his former quarterback.

“So proud of @K1,” Riley wrote. “Anyone that knows him knows this isn’t why he does it. From conversations about even getting a shot to play in the NFL to today…couldn’t be happier for him and his family.”

So proud of @K1 .

Anyone that knows him knows this isn’t why he does it.

From conversations about even getting a shot to play in the NFL to today…couldn’t be happier for him and his family https://t.co/J67wfgzl8i

— Lincoln Riley (@LincolnRiley) July 21, 2022

Murray, who transferred from Texas A&M to Oklahoma in late 2015, had tremendous success with the Sooners while playing under Riley. The 24-year-old won the 2018 Heisman Trophy after throwing for 4,053 yards with 40 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also led the Sooners to a 12-1 record and a College Football Playoff berth that season.

Riley had a successful tenure at Oklahoma before leaving the school in late 2021 to take the head coaching job at USC. The Sooners went 55-10 during Riley’s five seasons, not including their win under interim head coach Bob Stoops during the Alamo Bowl last December.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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