The Carolina Panthers announced Tuesday that the team has applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to cornerback Josh Norman. Entering his fifth NFL season, Norman earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2015 after recording four interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
“I’m excited that Josh will be back with the Panthers next season,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “He played very well for us this year and was a big part of the success we enjoyed as a team.”
In 2015, Norman’s career-high four interceptions helped the Panthers lead the NFL in interceptions (24), total takeaways (39), points off turnovers (148) and turnover differential (+20). In addition to Pro Bowl and Associated Press All-Pro honors, Norman was named NFL Co-Most Improved Player by the Pro Football Writers Association and earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 4) and NFC Defensive Player of the Month (September) recognition from the NFL. He contributed 16 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Norman is the sixth player in Panthers history to receive the franchise tag, joining punter Todd Sauerbrun (2003), tackle Jordan Gross (2008), defensive end Julius Peppers (2009), center Ryan Kalil (2011) and defensive end Greg Hardy (2014).
“Josh has worked hard to develop himself into a very good player,” general manager Dave Gettleman said. “We appreciate the role he plays for us in our defense and we look forward to having him back for the 2016 season.”
In four NFL seasons, Norman has played in 53 regular season games with 38 starts and totaled 172 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 35 passes defensed. He was selected out of Coastal Carolina by the Panthers in the fifth round (143rd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
