The Carolina Panthers not only can’t agree to a long-term deal with cornerback Josh Norman, but they won’t even have him for the upcoming season. The team announced today that it has withdrawn its franchise tag offer, which makes Norman an unrestricted free agent.


Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman released a statement:


According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, Norman’s side wanted a yearly salary somewhere around $16 million a year, which would put him somewhere at the top of his position with Darrelle Revis and Janoris Jenkins. A franchise tag would have paid him nearly $14 million a year, but Norman never signed the offer.



A No. 1 cornerback is available about a week before the NFL Draft. Who wants him?

Photo: AP