3 ways Josh Norman can help the Panthers after bombshell return

Josh Norman has big game experience with Carolina Panthers

While the Carolina Panthers probably aren’t getting the All-Pro Josh Norman at this stage of his career, the veteran boasts plenty of big game experience that can be of use heading into their Week 17 showdown at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Norman has the fire, swagger, and determination to come in and make immediate waves. He’s never shirked a challenge and backed up his big talk more often than not throughout his first spell with the franchise.

Asking Norman to start and play the majority of snaps is stretching things. However, if the former fifth-round pick out of Coastal Carolina can assist on a rotational basis and come up with a big play or two, that could be an exponential help to the Panthers’ hopes at Raymond James Stadium.

As Norman stated himself, he wouldn’t have come back if he thought Carolina didn’t have a shot under Steve Wilks. And he was built for monumental occasions such as this.

This adds another fascinating layer of intrigue to Sunday’s potential NFC South title decider. Norman’s never been short of confidence, with the prospect of locking horns against Julio Jones one last time something to monitor closely when the time comes.

The Panthers had to do something in the wake of Jaycee Horn’s unfortunate injury. Especially considering how lights out the South Carolina product performed during the 2022 campaign.

Norman had the scope to get up to speed quicker than most available cornerbacks thanks to his previous relationship with Wilks. But there is also a chance this goes horribly wrong and the football legs just aren’t there after so long away from the gridiron.