There is no doubt Norman had a fantastic season in 2015 and that he played at a high level. He truly was one of the best CBs in the league. Though it's his only season played at a lofty level he hasn't been shy about wanting to get paid accordingly and now seems to be in no hurry to sign his franchise tag:
Carolina Panthers CB Josh Norman: ‘Waiting is my specialty’ - | WBTV Charlotte
"I’m comfortable where I’m at. Trust and believe," Norman told the Observer. "If I’ve waited this long I can wait on them some more. I got no problem waiting. Waiting got me where I need to be at the end of the day. "Trust me: waiting is my specialty."
He and the Panthers have until July 15 to work out a deal or Norman will play for the franchise amount, just under $14M for the season. Yet is he taking a risk by waiting as the Panthers can rescind the franchise tag at any time. You never know what can happen. If only Greg Hardy had waited to sign his tender then maybe the Panthers would have avoided having to pay him $13M to not play. But I digress...Norman is not Greg Hardy.
Consequently I don't see a reason for the Panthers to sign Norman to a long term deal. He's not going to be any more expensive at this time next year, even if he plays at a high level which I expect. I mean, he'll be playing another season for a big deal. At that point the Panthers might have the depth to let Norman walk. Putting together two All Pro seasons would make paying him top dollar easier to justify.
The other thing Norman has going against him is his age. He's 28 now and will be 29 after playing on the franchise tag next season. That might limit the length of deals teams are wiling to offer, maybe the 3 to 4 season range versus 5 years. Norman is apparently sensitive to this notion but doesn't appear to care:
"We’re not losing a step," Norman, 28, said in an apparent reference to his age, which is old for a cornerback looking for his second contract. "We’re not aging to the point where we’re old and gray and can’t cover anybody. "We just started. We’re just getting going. And it’s exciting. And to the point where at the end of the Super Bowl, I felt like I could go a half-season more. I started getting withdrawals of not playing anymore so I had to go do something."
So consequently I think the Panthers and Norman agent dance around each other a little for a month or so but then Norman will eventually sign his tender. I can't think he will wait until July to do that but then again, he says he's willing to wait. On the flip side as long as he insists on top dollar then I see no incentive for the Panthers to budge too much.
So do you think Norman will get a long term deal or work on the franchise tag?