The Buffalo Bills have signed former Carolina Panthers and Washington cornerback Josh Norman to a one-year deal. The move reunites Norman with his old defensive coordinator, Sean McDermott, who is the head coach in Buffalo.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, it's a one-year deal for a base of $6 million and a max of $8 million. ESPN’s Marcel-Louis Jacques says three other teams were in on Norman.
"Josh Norman spoke to several teams following his release and quietly visited Buffalo," said Garafolo. "He decided on a one-year deal with the Bills because of his familiarity with the defensive system and the talent around him, including Tre’Davious White on the other side of the field."
Norman was named first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl in 2015 under McDermott and turned that into a massive deal with Washington after Carolina franchise-tagged him. Unfortunately for him, it was the only Pro Bowl nod of his career and he hasn’t lived up to the big contract.
In 2019, he has a down year, playing in only 12 games and starting just 8. He finished the year with one interception, six passes defended, and a forced fumble to go along with his 77 tackles.
Norman will probably slot in ahead of Levi Wallace at the number two CB and it likely means Kevin Johnson won't return. Johnson signed a one-year deal a year ago.
If Norman can regain his form from Carolina, the Bills' secondary could be a major strength for the team in 2020 with reigning first-team All-Pro Tre White at the opposite cornerback and Pro Bowler Micah Hyde at safety with should-be Pro Bowler Jordan Poyer at the other safety position. Add in Taron Johnson at slot cornerback along with Siran Neal at Big Nickel, and it’s a solid group top-to-bottom before free agency and the draft.