Josh Norman made a last-minute attempt to sign his franchise tag with the Carolina Panthers, according to a league source and multiple reports.

The Panthers made Norman a free agent on Wednesday when they rescinded the tag. On Friday, Norman signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Washington Redskins.

After being informed that the tag had been rescinded, Norman contacted the Panthers, offering to fire agent Michael George and sign the tag. The tag would have guaranteed him $13.952 million in 2016.

By that time the Panthers had filed the paperwork with the league and decided to move on.

Josh Norman has agreed to sign with Washington on a five-year, $75 million deal.

The Carolina Panthers rescinded the franchise tag on Norman this week, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Norman also considered the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints.

Norman emerged in 2015 as one of the NFL's best cornerbacks. 

By moving to the NFC East, Norman will continue his rivalry with Odell Beckham Jr. twice per season (Week 3 & Week 17 in 2016).

Washington and the San Francisco 49ers are strongly pursuing Josh Norman in free agency and are considered the frontrunners.

The 49ers have the cap room to make a significant offer to Norman, who would be a substantial upgrade over their current cornerbacks.

Washington's need at cornerback is less pressing and they also have less cap space.

Dave Gettleman didn't hesitate when asked what he could do with the $13.952 million in salary-cap space he got after rescinding the franchise tag on Josh Norman.

Gettleman said the flexibility he got in removing Norman's cap number and the unlikelihood that a long-term deal would be reached led to the decision.

By clearing his tag number, the Panthers now have approximately $31 million in salary-cap space. 

"I've said it before," Gettleman said during what initially was a pre-draft news conference. "I struggle with our coaches working their fannies off, developing players and letting them walk. I don't like that. I've always believed that the cap can be a great equalizer. I really believe it penalizes teams that draft well.

"You have to understand you can't keep everybody. It's impossible. So now you have to decide who you're going to allow to graduate. We've got some really good, young talent. This was a business decision. That's what this is folks, a business decision."

The Carolina Panthers have removed the non-exclusive franchise tag from Josh Norman, making him an unrestricted free agent.

"After a number of conversations with Josh's agent we realized that a long-term deal was not attainable," general manager Dave Gettleman said. "We have decided to rescind the Franchise Tag freeing Josh to immediately become a UFA. We thank Josh for all his contributions and truly wish him well."

The franchise tag had guaranteed Norman $13.952 million in 2016.

Norman had been seeking a long-term deal with the Panthers.

Gettleman had said at the NFL owners meeting last month he was "very comfortable'' with Norman playing under the tag.

Norman was one of the NFL's best cornerbacks in 2015.

Josh Norman will not report for voluntary offseason workouts when the Carolina Panthers begin their program on April 25.

Norman still hasn't signed the franchise tag that guarantees him $13.952 million in 2016. Until he does, he isn't under contract, so there is no incentive to report, barring a last-minute change.

Norman is seeking a long-term deal with the Panthers, who have until July 15 to strike a deal.

The Denver Broncos will host the Carolina Panthers in the 2016 NFL regular season opener.

The two teams will play on Sept. 8th on NBC.

The Panthers, who went 15-1 in the regular season, return most of the team that has won the NFC South the past three years, while the Broncos lost Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler.