Carolina Panthers: The Growing Concern With Josh Norman

Carolina Panthers fans should start to show concern with the Josh Norman contract situation.

The Carolina Panthers are headed into the 2016 season with a lot of momentum and even more expectations. One of the reasons why the Panthers are big favorites entering the new season is the fact that they are playing with an uber-powerful defense. Josh Norman is an important aspect of this defense and news broke that the defensive back is skipping next week’s workouts. While this isn’t a reason to hit the panic button for Panthers fans, it is a concern that talks may be heading in the wrong direction.

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Norman was an integral part to the Panthers’ defense that was ranked among the best in multiple categories last season. The way he played not only broke up big opportunities for the opponent’s, but it also allowed other players such as Kurt Coleman, Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis to have more of an impact across the field.

Norman’s contract situation has been a consistent story following the Panthers this off season. He was hit with the franchise tag that promises him a large salary of $13.052 million this season. According to David Newton of ESPN, Norman hasn’t signed the deal and is making a play to sit out the upcoming workouts. According to this report he is waiting for the Panthers’ front offices to make him a “good faith” offer that some type of long-term deal will get done to keep him a part of the Carolina franchise.

Norman’s efforts on the field could be parlayed into a deal worth $15 to $16 million dollars.

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The idea of whether or not fans should begin to “worry” will slowly escalate over time. The Panthers have made efforts to be prepared if Norman holds out for additional time that cuts into critical programming during the off season. The team has brought in Brandon Boykin for a one-year deal and some experts have speculated that the team can take a defensive back at some point during the 2016 NFL Draft this month.

Dec 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Packers 38-8. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This isn’t the first time that Carolina has dealt with a contract situation surrounding one of their most important defensive players. The Panthers build a strong unit around Julius Peppers. He was a pillar for that group in such a way that the team used the franchise tag on him before the start of the 2009 season. While he did play that full year, it would be his last in a Panthers uniform.

The Panthers have made it a point to bring back players that add value to this roster. Reaching new deals with both Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton before the 2015 season and re-signing Mike Tolbert and Charles Johnson to restructure deals this year shows a commitment to keeping together as many pieces of this unit as possible.

Norman is clearly a central part to this defensive roster and both sides have made statements that they hope to work out a deal. Even with that desire, it often comes to a head that teams and players go in separate directions simply on the basis of what’s best for business. While skipping the early portion of the Panthers’ off season program should set off alarms, it should raise concerns for interested fans.