Panthers start long term contract talk with Josh Norman

[TheSpecialJuan]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have opened discussions for a long-term deal with Pro Bowl cornerback Josh Norman, a league source told ESPN on Friday.

The initial meeting between Carolina management and Norman's representation took place on Thursday night in Indianapolis, where both sides were attending the NFL scouting combine.

The source said the sides weren't initially close in terms, increasing the odds that Carolina will use the franchise tag on Norman by the Tuesday deadline.

The estimated tag price for cornerbacks in 2016 is approximately $13.8 million, but that could go up when the NFL sets the final cap number.

General manager Dave Gettleman has said several times since Carolina's loss to Denver in Super Bowl 50 that the franchise tag was an option with Norman.

The 28-year-old Norman, who turned down a multi-year deal of more than $7 million per year prior to last season, made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and was one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

Norman told ESPN on Friday that he wouldn't take it personal if the Panthers used the franchise tag on him.

"It's a business at the end of the day, and nothing is ever personal,'' said Norman, selected out of Coastal Carolina in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. "It's not personal with them. It's not personal with coach [Ron Rivera] or position coaches. Nothing is ever personal.''

Norman said he hopes to stay with the Panthers and is optimistic a deal can be reached. Even if the tag is used, the Panthers have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.

"I really hope that I can be here, because I've been here my whole life,'' said Norman, a native of nearby Greenwood, Carolina. "I don't want to change that. But hey, you never know how things will go.''

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/14852022/josh-norman-carolina-panthers-discussing-long-term-contract

[PizzaTheHutt]

[The Lobo]

F yea. Get this done.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Prediction: Franchise tag will be used by Saturday evening.

[Eazy-E]

5yr 68 million I think would get it done. 

[LiQuiD]

Greenwood, Carolina. Where is that exactly?

[pantherj]

It's really hard to find corners like Norman. It's also really hard to pay them.

[Handsome Steve]

I keep going back and forth between paying him or not. Seemed like the further into the season we got, the worse he played. He had a couple passes go over his head for TDs late in the season but he's a great player, I just don't think top 5. Would that money be better used to put in other areas of need? Does our scheme help cover deficiencies in the secondary? If we had a killer pass rush, do we need JNo? Ugh, Im glad Im not a GM.

[TheSpecialJuan]

13 minutes ago, Eazy-E said:

5yr 68 million I think would get it done. 

Gettleman won't go to 5 years on a 28 year old CB.

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

I'm not convinced a long term deal will get done ... read between the lines, Norman has been in Carolina all his life he wants a huge deal  and he'll go wherever gives him a huge deal not personal just looking out for himself 

[Even Janitor]

It's interesting to wonder what motivates people in his enviable position:  you're already a millionaire several times over, so at what point is money eclipsed by some other consideration in making your decision?  For some people, never.  But you'd think at some point you'd be more interested in remaining with a contender, with a team that has a decent chance of getting you a ring.  I mean just to throw out some example numbers, to me if it was $10 million a year with Carolina versus $13 million a year with the Cleveland Browns, I'm staying in Carolina and it's not a hard decision.

[luke nukem]

2 minutes ago, Even Janitor said:

It's interesting to wonder what motivates people in his enviable position:  you're already a millionaire several times over, so at what point is money eclipsed by some other consideration in making your decision?  For some people, never.  But you'd think at some point you'd be more interested in remaining with a contender, with a team that has a decent chance of getting you a ring.  I mean just to throw out some example numbers, to me if it was $10 million a year with Carolina versus $13 million a year with the Cleveland Browns, I'm staying in Carolina and it's not a hard decision.

except josh has been playing on a rookie salary and is 29. He actually doesn't have millions on millions.

[PntherPryd]

34 minutes ago, Even Janitor said:

 to me if it was $10 million a year with Carolina versus $13 million a year with the Cleveland Browns, I'm staying in Carolina and it's not a hard decision.

I think you just described the difference between a professional and a fan.

 

[Jmac]

Tag or contract.....#24 isn't leaving the Carolinas. No contract this year..tag him. *No contract next year...tag again.

 

*if he is still playing at an elite level.