Report: Buffalo Bills to sign cornerback Josh Norman
According to a report, the Buffalo Bills have agreed to a one-year deal with former Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman.
Even though free agency is still over a week away, that didn’t stop the Buffalo Bills from making a move on Monday. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bills have agreed to a one-year deal worth $6 million that could get up to $8 million with incentives with the veteran cornerback.
Josh Norman spoke to several teams following his release and quietly visited Buffalo. 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.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2020
As Garafolo notes, Josh Norman knows the Bills system very well from his time with Sean McDermott, when both were apart of the Carolina Panthers. McDermott was Norman’s defensive coordinator for four seasons and he had his best season in this system in 2015. That year he had 56 total tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and even had two defensive touchdowns.
After that season, the Panthers used the franchise tag on him however he refused to sign and the general manager at the time, Dave Gettleman, actually took the tag back. He went on to sign a monster deal with the Washington Redskins for five-years worth $75 million.
In a cost cutting move, the Redskins released Norman last month and that is why he was able to sign now ahead of free agency.
As for the Buffalo Bills, the hope is that Norman can come in and compete for the starting job opposite Tre’Davious White. While he isn’t playing at the same caliber he was in 2015, he could have enough left to be a serviceable option on the other side of the field.
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The signing of Norman also likely means the end of Kevin Johnson’s time in Buffalo. The former first round pick signed a one-year deal last offseason and played well in spots in place of Levi Wallace. At this point, the team should plan to bring back Wallace as the competition for Norman and hopefully recreate the same results from a season ago.