Carolina Panthers All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman, who had the franchise tag applied by the team worth a guaranteed $13.95 million in 2016, reportedly wants about $16 million a year on a long-term contract.
Norman has yet to sign the franchise tag the Panthers put on him March 1. The Panthers and Norman can still negotiate a long-term deal and have until July 15 to reach an agreement.
Norman, 28, has expressed that he wants to be one of the top-paid cornerbacks in the NFL.
According to the Charlotte Observer, Norman and the Panthers are nowhere close to a long-term contract.
Norman has indicated he would not report to Organized Team Activities until there is a new deal.
“I can’t report if I haven’t signed anything so I don’t feel as if I’m at the point where I’m ready to get back to working right now,” Norman told NFL Network last week.
Norman also said he has no problem with Carolina general manager Dave Gettleman.
“I know that he has a whole organization to worry about and other people that’s behind me, and that’s obviously in the thick of things right now in their contract situations,” Norman said. “So there’s a lot of things that go into play, and like I said, it’s no disrespect to nobody. It’s just good business at the end of the day.
“I feel as if he (Gettleman) has to do a job and I have to do my job and maintain myself and my discipline. I know I how I feel I am when it gets ready to go time and how I’m ready to go out there and play and put my body on the line and give everything I have.”
Norman had a career-best four interceptions last season for a Carolina team that reached the Super Bowl before losing to the Denver Broncos. Norman returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns and has seven interceptions in four NFL seasons.