75 million for a 29  year old player with 1 great season under his belt, sorry, Dave Caldwell did the smart thing. Free Agency has got to be the most overrated, overblown concept of improving a team. Sure, can improve your roster, sure, it excites the fans and moves the needle. But many teams have found themselves in trouble because of over paying for players, this team included. Not only can it get you into cap mess, but a lot of times, these players get paid, then check out. Josh Norman has nothing else to play for now. He got 50 million guaranteed and has been to a Super Bowl.

 

The Carolina Panthers are not stupid, a team with a great GM, known for getting things done and getting the most out of what he has would not of simply dumped not only one of their best players, but one of the best CB in the NFL if something was not up. It just does not  make sense. At the very least, you get Norman for 1 year on a franchise tag and dont tell me he would of not signed that. He would of got almost 14 million, and while he would of held out, would of eventually signed. Those paychecks for those luxurious lifestyles need to pay the bills too. The Panthers gained nothing either way, something internally is wrong. Norman is either a character risk, or simply put, might not be worth the money he got. 

 

Having too much cap is a good problem to have. It is better to set yourself up for the long term rather than spend it all at once because "its not your money and you're a fan and you want it now". Only one team wins the Super Bowl, the short term is not always the right way to go. Am I saying Norman would of not helped the team? No, but at the same time, risking all that cap on one player especially with the hit you take, plus his age, plus the risk of him being a fluke, plus his attitude, theres a lot at stake. This is not Madden, you cant just sign or trade for a player and they bring you guaranteed success. 

 

The Jaguars, whether you believe this or not have many building blocks that surround the team. We have the QB ( won't be cheap), we have the WR(won't be cheap), we have another good receiver, we have Telvin Smith all of our own player we want to lock up, and without cap, its tough to keep your players, especially if you do become a playoff team. Money is what drives players, we lost Vernon because the Giants offered him more, period. Championships and pride are BS and next fiddle to money. Id rather invest in Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Telvin Smith etc then spend it on some player who was not our own and has all the said risks I mentioned above. 

 

Plus, you need cap if you want to buy players next offseason or the one after that. My point is, spending 15 million a year, 50 million guaranteed for a 29 year old CB is probably not ideal for the Jaguars, who are an up and coming team with their own players to worry about down the road. 

 

FYI, that cap we have, just remember, Bortles will be a 20 million a year man if we are too keep him, Robinson will be wanting to be paid like a top 5 receiver if he continues to play the way he is. That cap we have will dribble down unless we are careful. Smarter to invest down the road than it is to spend immediately. Dave Caldwell was smart to not go after Josh Norman. 

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