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| Josh Norman |
NFL Network's Rand Getlin is reporting that the Redskins and Norman have agreed to terms to bring the All-Pro cornerback to Washington.
In a move that sent shockwaves through the entire league, the Carolina Panthers rescinded his franchise tag on Wednesday, immediatley making Norman an unrestricted free agent.
Norman, 28, visited the Redskins on Friday amidst reports that Washington and the San Francisco 49ers were the top suitors for his services.
The Redskins wouldn't let him go without making sure he left with a new contract in hand.
In four season with the Panthers, Norman amassed 181 tackles with 37 passes defensed, seven interceptions, four fumbles forced and two touchdowns.
During the 2015 season, Norman was named Pro Football Writers Association Most Improved Co-Player of the Year along with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Coastal Carolina product finished the season with 56 tackles along with 19 passes defensed, four interceptions and two touchdowns.
He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for September after totaling 15 tackles along with three passes defensed, two interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a touchdown.
Norman recorded his first career touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 13, when he intercepted quarterback Blake Bortles and returned it 30 yards for a score.
The next week, Norman once again recorded an interception, nabbing a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Luke McCown.
Norman earned his first career NFC Defensive Player of the Week award after he intercepted Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie quarterback Jameis Winston twice including a 46-yard pick-six on Oct. 4.
Norman became the first player in Panthers history to record four interceptions in the first four games of a season and first NFL cornerback with two interception return touchdowns in the first four games of a season since Charles Woodson in 2008.
According to ProFootballFocus.com, opposing quarterbacks had a passer rating of 54 against Norman during the 2015 regular season, the lowest among all cornerbacks.
In the Panthers’ run to Super Bowl 50, Norman totaled nine tackles and four passes defensed in Carolina’s three playoff games.
Norman appeared in 14 games during the 2014 season, tallying 48 tackles with 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.
His first interception of the season came off of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, when he gobbled up a pass that running back Marshawn Lynch couldn’t keep a handle on at the goal line.
The six-foot, 195 pounder hauled in his first career interception on Oct. 28, 2012, picking off Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler at the Panthers’ three-yard line.
Norman started his first career NFL game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9, 2012.
He was selected with the No. 143 pick in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina.
With the addition of Norman, the Redskins currently have 10 cornerbacks on their roster after the team announced the signing of free agent Greg Toler last week.
Will Blackmon was also re-signed during the offseason while Chris Culliver continues to work his way back from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered during a practice in November.
Bashaud Breeland, meanwhile, has quickly established himself as one of the top young cornerbacks in the NFL over the last two seasons.
The 24-year-old, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, was named to NFL.com’s All-Rookie Team two years ago and led the Redskins with three forced fumbles and two interceptions during the 2015 season.
The Redskins also have cornerbacks Quinton Dunbar, Deshazor Everett, Jeremy Harris, Al Louis-Jean and Dashaun Phillips on the roster, while DeAngelo Hall and Kyshoen Jarrett – listed as defensive backs – also have experience at the position.
Norman will face off against his old teammates on Monday, Dec. 19 when the Redskins host the Panthers on Monday Night Football at FedExField.
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