Storyline: Carolina may be better off without Josh Norman. Here are reasons why.
I was shocked on Wednesday night when the Carolina Panthers removed the franchise tag from CB Josh Norman. Norman was the leader on defense for a team that made the Super Bowl for the first time since 2003. Norman was coming off his best season, too, and was in a position to command big dollars. The Panthers had its amount in mind, Norman had his number in mind, and the two sides could not agree.
Courtesy: profootballfocus.com
Norman, who immediately became an unrestricted free agent, signed Friday evening with the Washington Redskins.
Many thought that removing the franchise tag was a bad move for the Panthers, considering how huge Norman was to the team’s success. But I think it’s a blessing in disguise. Here are two reasons why.
First, there’s Bene Benwikere. Benwikere, who also had his best season in 2015, looks like a 1A option to Norman. He now gets an opportunity to prove himself. Had the Panthers kept the franchise tag on Norman, that move could have created chemistry issues.
Second, the timing of Norman’s departure comes before the NFL Draft. Norman is 29 years old. It was clear—even before Norman’s departure—that Carolina needs to get younger in the secondary and the ’16 Draft is loaded with what consider to be ready-to-play cornerbacks. Carolina could draft Ohio State CB Eli Apple (if he falls to them at Pick 31) or the team could go with a talented player in the 2nd Round, like William Jackson from Houston or Kendall Fuller from Virginia Tech. These guys are considered by many experts to be plug-and-play players. Either way, the Panthers are likely to land a talented player.
All in all, I think the Panthers secondary will be just fine, ready to be contenders again.
Josh Norman won’t be missed.
