As if the Eagles-Browns trade wasn't big enough news for the NFL Wednesday, this afternoon the Panthers in a stunning move rescinded the franchise tag from all-pro cornerback Josh Norman. Norman is now free to sign anywhere, and while in theory that includes back with the Panthers, it's hard to see a scenario where that happens.

Norman had not signed his tender offer -- worth nearly $14 million -- and was in a position where he and Carolina had until July 15 to sign a long-term deal. Reportedly, Norman, 28, was looking for around $16M a year. Panthers GM Dave Gettleman said today it had become clear to him the team and Norman would never reach a long-term contract. Still, it's odd the team would just let him go. Norman might have threatened to sit out (without signing the tender, he wasn't obligated to show up, even to training camp) but he wouldn't be the first, and he just said last month he was willing to play under the tag this season.

How does this impact the Cardinals? Not directly. Norman is a free agent, but the Cards a) only have about $6.5 million of cap space, b) are already paying a cornerback a ton of money (Patrick Peterson)and c) are on deck to pay another secondary member (Tyrann Mathieu) a lot of money. Norman isn't coming here. But the Cardinals do visit the Panthers in 2016, so no Norman figures to help the Cards' deep receiving corps.

That doesn't mean the Cardinals won't see Norman. Both the 49ers and Rams had been trying to sign premier cornerbacks in free agency, and the 49ers especially ($52 million in cap space) would seem to have the resources to give Norman what he wants.