NFL NEWS

Report: CB Norman to meet with Redskins

The Sports Xchange

April 21, 2016 at 5:30 pm.

Based on the immediate interest in cornerback Josh Norman, the free agent will not be out of work for long.

The Carolina Panthers on Wednesday rescinded the franchise tag tying Norman to the NFC champions for the 2016 season, setting Norman loose on the open market. A one-year tender with the Panthers would have paid Norman nearly $14 million in 2016.

Norman reportedly will make his first free agent visit Friday when he meets with the Washington Redskins, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday. Schefter added that the Redskins and San Francisco are floating five-year offers, with Norman likely to receive $14 million to $15 million per season.

Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman pulled the plug when contract negotiations fell apart and Norman found little interest after the Panthers granted him permission to seek a trade.

Gettleman said Thursday at his pre-draft press conference that $13.9 million was just too much, and that the Panthers came to that realization through a series of staff meetings.

While he claimed the door is open for Norman’s return — in 2009, the Seahawks rescinded the franchise tag on LeRoy Hill, and signed him to contract four days later — Gettleman also said “We want players who are all-in.”

Several teams — 10 according to ESPN’s David Newton — with excess salary-cap space reached out to Norman on his first day of free agency. The 49ers, who have plenty of cap space and a need at the position, Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears all made contact.

Norman had two defensive touchdowns and led all defensive backs in forced fumbles in 2015, when he was voted All-Pro.

The Panthers instantly gained $13 million in salary cap space that is likely to be dedicated to re-signed defensive tackles Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei, Carolina’s top two picks in the 2013 draft and core players on defense.

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