So far in the 2019 NFL season, the Redskins defense has gotten beat deep a number of times. A handful of those instances involved veteran cornerback Josh Norman.
Once a lockdown corner with a loud mouth, Norman’s place in the NFL has changed over the past two years; he still has a loud mouth, but he no longer presents a threat on the perimeter.
While the Washington defense has been ripped to shreds in consecutive weeks, they could start to face a tough decision in the near future. At this point in his career, just how valuable is Josh Norman to the team?
Not only does Norman present a liability on the field, but he acts as a major cap-hit off of the field as well. According to Over The Cap, the Redskins could save $12.5 million in 2020 by releasing Norman, who would only count as $3 million against the salary cap.
A cap-hit that size could be sustainable should the Redskins be getting valuable production from the player in question, but that type of skill and playmaking ability just isn’t there for Norman anymore. In Week 1 against the Eagles, the veteran corner was targeted seven times, allowing five completions for 95 yards and a touchdown. More recently, against the Cowboys, Norman got beat deep by Devin Smith for a 51-yard touchdown over the top, allowing Dallas to get back into the game.
When gameplay is not going on, you can always count on Norman to stir the pot and call out that week’s opponent, attempting to keep them humble. Unfortunately for Washington fans, he has gradually lost the ability to back up his words on the field. For a lesser price point, his veteran presence might be of some value, but for the money that Washington could save by letting him go, there’s likely some production out there, waiting for an opportunity to shine.
