The Redskins signing of Josh Norman is big news for several reasons. One, it weaken the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers significantly. Two, it strengthens a Redskins team that is on the cusp of being a contender. 

Redskins owner Daniel Synder has always spent money, so the signing of Norman is not a surprise. However, as we’ve learned, not all of those signings have panned out through the years. The Norman signing is different however. Norman is in the prime of his career and he has elite coverage skills. He’s an impact player at a position where you need an impact player.

The Redskins have deeper pockets than the Panthers. They could afford to meet Norman’s price and they did. It’ll be fun to watch Norman battle it out with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant twice a year. We got a glimpse of what that’ll look like last season. Now we get to see it twice a season.

I know the naysayers will say that this is another typical Redskins signing but like I said, this is more than that. Norman will make an immediate impact. Now the Redskins can now focus on their offensive or defensive lines in next week’s draft. Their secondary is in good shape.

You can’t sleep on the Redskins anymore. Last season is no longer a fluke. They have the potential to be a factor in the NFC once. The Norman signing only solifies that notion.