2016 NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that should sign Josh Norman
By John Buhler
55. . AFC. North. Pittsburgh Steelers. 4. player
It’s interesting how teams’ identities shift over just a few seasons. Entering 2016, the Pittsburgh Steelers have arguably the deepest and most explosive offense in the National Football League. While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back Le’Veon Bell, and wide receiver Antonio Brown form as dynamic of an offensive trio one can find in the NFL, the Steelers are in a bit of flux defensively.
In recent drafts the Steelers have looked to upgrade their defensive front seven by drafting Jarvis Jones out of Georgia and Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. However, the secondary has started to become suspect after safety Troy Polamalu’s retirement only a year ago. Pittsburgh needs to bring balance back to their defense with a shutdown cornerback.
One player that the Steelers could target in free agency to improve what was the third worst passing defense in 2015 with 4,350 yards allowed is to actively pursue free agent and former Carolina Panthers shutdown corner Josh Norman.
The way that Norman played in Sean McDermott’s defense in 2015 makes one think that he can play with the aggressiveness and determination often associated with the terrific Dick LeBeau defenses in the Steel City in year’s past.
Pittsburgh will again battle for an AFC Playoff berth in 2016 in the tough AFC North. Though the Steelers can certainly make noise in the postseason with their high-octane offense, they’ll need to overhaul their porous secondary to have a legitimate shot at winning another Lombardi Trophy in 2016.
Signing Norman away from Carolina could definitely help Pittsburgh become elite defensively once again. The only issue with this is that the Steelers have almost no cap space to sign high-end free agents this spring at around $11.5 million. The front office will have to get creative to make a splash in free agency in a few weeks.
Next: 3. New York Giants