The crazy NFL offseason just got a little crazier. The Carolina Panthers announced on Wednesday that they have rescinded the non-exclusive franchise tag they had placed on cornerback Josh Norman. The tender was $13,952,000, and so the Panthers clear that off their salary cap.
I have no idea why they would do this, but it makes Norman an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team he wants. This is a bit of an oddity, as teams almost never do this kind of thing. And I don't remember the last time such a huge name was on the market at this point, with the draft a week away.
Back during the run up to the Super Bowl, Norman told the media how much he loved spending time in the Bay Area that week. That obviously does not mean he will end up with the 49ers or Raiders, but it is certainly something that will make us all go hmmmmmm. The 49ers have $52,607,558 in salary cap, and were reportedly in the mix for Sean Smith. One has to think they'll take a run at Norman now that it will not cost them draft picks.