Norman says he turned down more money to sign with Redskins

When the Carolina Panthers made the surprising decision to release Josh Norman, the cornerback wasn't lacking suitors.

Teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers came to mind as possible destinations because of their cap space.

Norman certainly wanted to get paid, and did so signing with the Washington Redskins for a reported $75 million over five years, but that wasn't the only thing he was looking for.

"Believe it or not, some teams were offering me more money than the Redskins," Norman told Emily Kaplan of The MMQB. "In D.C., I felt I could be my own person, and I could take my career further.

"I’m pretty sure it could have been like that in other places, but to be honest, the Redskins just got to me first."

Norman confirmed that the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints all expressed interest in acquiring the All-Pro defender. The 28-year-old would have visited the Saints next, had he left the Redskins facility without a contract.

"I would have loved playing for Coach (Sean) Payton, and, oh, I would have loved the opportunity to play Carolina twice (a year)," said Norman. "But that shouldn't be the sole reason for me going there."