Josh Norman adds yet another veteran cornerback to free agent list

You can add Josh Norman‘s name to the list of available veteran cornerbacks this offseason for teams like the Chiefs to select from.

The Washington Redskins have decided to release veteran cornerback Josh Norman before free agency begins, per NFL reporter Mike Garafolo.

Norman’s release from the team is not surprising to anyone who has watched the Redskins’ behavior over the last few months. Not only did the team publicly attempt to trade him to anyone willing to take on his salary at the NFL’s trade deadline, but the team soon benched him afterward to focus on playing time for their younger corners. In short, a divorce has been telegraphed for quite some time.

This was not the trajectory that Dan Snyder hoped for when he lured Norman away from the Carolina Panthers with big bucks in free agency. Norman’s five-year, $75 million deal was an albatross from the moment he signed it. The Redskins hung on for four of those seasons, but this year proved to be the tipping point and Washington saves over $12 million with his release.

Norman now gives cornerback-needy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs another veteran option to consider, but no one should get too excited by the thought of adding Norman—even on a one-year deal. Norman’s hype was much greater than his play in his career, amplified by a contract year Pro Bowl showing that led to Snyder’s mammoth offering. Other than that, however, Norman isn’t going to turn many heads at the age of 33.

That’s not to say Norman has nothing to offer a team like the Chiefs. With only Rashad Fenton and Charvarius Ward under contract, the Chiefs have room to add a low-cost vet like Norman if they like and Norman might enjoy a chance to clear his name with a solid season on a winning team. He’s been an ironman in the past and comes with 14 career interceptions and 12 forced fumbles.

In addition, any team interested in Norman has the chance to sign him now instead of waiting for free agency since he was released from his current contract.