The Carolina Panthers shocked the football world last night when they took the franchise tag off of cornerback Josh Norman. According to Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman, the Panthers didn’t think they could come to a long term agreement with Norman. So, the all everything corner is now a free agent and he can negotiate with any team. Here the five ideal landing spots for Norman in my opinion. 

1. Chicago Bears: Norman would be a great fit in Chicago’s 3-4 defense because he would be given the freedom to change his alignment based on whatever coverage the Bears are in. Chicago likes to play a lot of split coverage looks. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will give him the freedom to play in a loose alignment, read the quarterback and jump the underneath route. That’s what Norman does best.

2. Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz runs an aggressive, one gap 4-3 defense similar to what the Panthers run. He plays a lot of Cover 2 but he’ll play a fair amount of quarters coverage and split field coverage as well. Norman excels at playing off, reading the quarterback, feeling the route and making the play. Schwartz would give Norman the latitude to do that.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags have spent a lot of money this off-season and they still have close to $50 million dollars in available cap space. They can fit Norman in. Head coach Gus Bradley likes to play a lot of Cover 2 press coverage which isn’t Norman’s game but again, the young corner is so good at reading underneath routes, that Bradley would give him some freedom in terms of his alignment. 

4. New England Patriots: We all saw how Bill Belichick used Darrelle Revis two years ago. The Patriots played more man to man coverage than they have at any point in Belichick’s tenure. Norman is good enough in man coverage that the Patriots can play tight man to man or loose man to man with him and he would still be effective. I think Norman would be a great addition on a one year deal. Unfortunately for Patriots fans, they team doesn’t have the cap space to sign Norman. 

5. Carolina Panthers: The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. The Panthers know what Norman can do and Norman knows the scheme. Why not stay? It only makes sense. In fact, it makes sense for both sides.