49ers free agency: Predicting which free agents Niners re-sign
By Peter Panacy
49ers 2022 NFL free agency predictions: Cornerback Josh Norman
In fairness to veteran cornerback Josh Norman, he wasn’t exactly intended to be a full-time starter when the Niners inked him to a one-year deal at the beginning of the 2021 regular season. Only that season-ending injury to Jason Verrett, followed by a serious ankle injury suffered by fellow corner Emmanuel Moseley, pushed Norman into the fray.
Norman, 34 years old, clearly lost a step after being one of the more formidable defensive backs earlier in his career, and that grabbiness resulted in a team-high eight penalties over the course of the regular season, seven of which were either for defensive holding or pass interference.
While Norman had a stretch of forced fumbles, seven total in 2021, he nevertheless allowed opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 110.6 when targeting him, going along with four touchdowns surrendered.
The lackluster efforts ultimately resulted in Norman getting benched late in the year, and it’ll be hard to find any reason for San Francisco to bring him back in 2022.
Prediction: Not re-signed