Report: Norman made late push to sign franchise tender

Josh Norman admitted recently that he felt "sideswiped" by the Carolina Panthers' decision to rescind the franchise tag placed on him seven weeks prior, and now it's clear how much the move rocked the cornerback.

Upon hearing that the Panthers were set to pull the tag and allow him to hit free agency, Norman contacted team officials and told them he was ready to sign it, sources told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

However, Norman was too late as the team had already notified the league of the decision.

Norman ultimately signed with the Washington Redskins, who inked the 28-year-old to a reported five-year, $75-million contract.

The Panthers' last offer to Norman, notes Person, was well below the deal that Norman found on the open market, with the team putting a four-year, $44-million deal on the table.