49ers, Steelers among 8 to 9 teams reportedly vying for Josh Norman
The dust hasn't completely settled from Wednesday's stunning Josh Norman news and teams are reportedly already lining up.
Hours after the Carolina Panthers rescinded their franchise tag on the All-Pro cornerback, making him a free agent, suitors came calling for Norman's services.
According to the Charlotte Observer, eight to nine teams are in the hunt for Norman, including the San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins.
Those teams must be willing to meet Norman's pricey demands. FS1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo reported that Norman's agent had been seeking a deal in the range of at least $16 million a year. If Norman were to get that kind of money, it would make him the highest-paid cornerback, trumping New York Jets veteran Darrelle Revis, who's due to make $14 million in 2016.
The Panthers had offered Norman the franchise tag, which would have paid him $13.952 million for 2016. The two sides had until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term deal, but the Panthers opted to cut ties with the star cornerback instead, allowing the 28-year-old to hit the open market.
Norman spent his first four years with the Panthers after being taken in the fifth round in the 2012 draft. He had a career-high four interceptions in 2015.
