Josh Norman will be continuing his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers.
It will be the fourth team that he will play for after signing a one-year deal of up to $2.5 million.
That’s a fair deal considering that he isn’t the shutdown cornerback he once was.
At 33 years old, Norman already lost a step and it’s hard to see him return as a starting defensive back.
Instead, he will share minutes with Emmanuel Moseley at right cornerback.
Free agent CB Josh Norman has agreed to terms with the 49ers, per @JayGlazer pic.twitter.com/dG7vkeXajE
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 5, 2021
But make no mistake about it because Norman already made a ton of money throughout his nine-year career.
His contracts with the Carolina Panthers were worth $16 million over five years.
Then, the Washington Football Team (then Redskins) signed him to a five-year, $70 million deal.
However, the franchise released him with one year left on his contract.
He then played nine games for the Buffalo Bills on a one-year, $6 million contract last season.
Adding Josh Norman to the 49ers roster was a smart move. Doesn’t affect the starting D, but if someone goes down, he’s a great insurance policy. He won’t make them elite, but he could damn sure keep them from being average.
— Don Atkinson (@DonAtkinsonNFL) September 7, 2021
Yet there was a point in time when Norman was one of the best cornerbacks in the game.
Here are the years wherein he was part of the NFL’s elite.
With his peak behind him, it’s time to look back at those seasons when he terrorized opposing receivers.
3. 2016 – Washington Football Team
Norman signed with Washington after his franchise tag with the Panthers expired.
He became the highest-paid cornerback at that time, surpassing Darrelle Revis’ deal with the New York Jets.
He picked up where he left off in Carolina and played every game that season.
Norman made 67 tackles, 52 of which are assisted, and one quarterback hit.
Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman and New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis helped pay the $50,000 bail for 22-year-old Jose Bello, who was imprisoned for 89 days after reading a poem criticizing ICE at a public meeting in Cali in May. https://t.co/4QowvyqLRu
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 14, 2019
He also had two forced fumbles and three interceptions for 38 yards.
His first interception was against the Cleveland Browns’ Cody Kessler in Week 4
Then, he got two picks versus Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley.
Norman also defended 19 passes throughout the regular season.
2. 2014 – Carolina Panthers
While Norman had an impressive rookie campaign, 2014 marks the beginning of his peak years.
He competed for a spot on the cornerback depth chart and initially finished fifth behind Melvin White, Antoine Cason, Charles Godfrey, and Bene Benwikere.
He did get his first start in Week 5 against the Bears but got sidelined for the next two games due to a concussion.
Unpopular Panthers opinion:
Josh Norman was the most talented corner in Panthers history in terms of ball skills.
— The Panthers Den (@PanthersDen4MR) February 28, 2021
By the time he returned in Week 8, he became the starting right cornerback and never looked back.
When the regular season was over, Norman had 48 tackles, one fumble recovery, and two interceptions.
Despite finishing the regular season with a 7-8-1 record, the Panthers made the postseason and Norman played his first playoff game.
1. 2015 – Pro Bowl Season
It is by far the best season he has had or ever will.
This was the only year where Norman made the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro.
He helped the Panthers finish the regular season with a 15-1 record and reach Super Bowl 50.
Norman had two passes defended and two tackles in the title game.
Sadly, they fell to the Denver Broncos, 24-10.
The year the Panthers went to the Superbowl Josh Norman played lights out. Whether it was scheme or what.. how he played reminded me so much of Okudah. If Okudah can be that for an entire career he'd be worth where ever they draft him. 2 of the best press bail corners i've seen pic.twitter.com/jxAElJjMPj
— Big CROCKY⚡️ (@eric_crocker) April 2, 2020
However, the defeat does not tarnish his stellar individual season.
Quarterbacks who threw to Norman had just a 54.0 rating all season.
Likewise, he allowed a 42.9 completion percentage over the first four weeks of the 2015 season.
It’s also one of his best years stat-wise with 56 tackles (48 solo), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.
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