The Carolina Panthers shocked free agency when they removed the franchise tag off their star cornerback Josh Norman earlier this week. Every team wasn’t sure what was going on, questioning why the team would decided to do this. Are there off the field issues that haven’t surfaced? Is there an injury that hasn’t been reported? But that Panthers emphasized it was a strictly business move.
The Panthers’ loss is the Washington Redskins gain, because Norman is now headed to the nation’s capitol thanks to a 5-year deal worth $75 million dollars ($15 million a year).
Norman and the Panthers were $2 million dollars apart in contract negotiations and things crumbled at some point, enough to where Carolina decided to let him walk rather than lock him up to an over-inflated deal. Norman wanted a long term deal worth $16 million a year, a significant price higher than some of the most elite cornerbacks in the league.
The Panthers now are relieved of cap space to sign other players more important to their defense (defensive ends, linebackers) for the long term, but still must replace Norman’s presence in the secondary. Chances are they will look for that in the upcoming draft.
The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers were also in the running to sign Norman, and he’ll now face a depleted quarterback crop in the NFC East next season.
Josh Norman vs. Odell Beckham Jr twice a year now.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 22, 2016
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