We now apparently have the full story on why Redskins cornerback Josh Norman did not start the second half against the Saints on Monday night.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network filled in the details on the halftime incident that ended with Norman being benched. According to Rapoport, Norman donned a pair of headphones while coach Jay Gruden was addressing the team, as previously reported by Kevin Sheehan, longtime host of the official Redskins pregame show on The Team 980 radio in Washington. Norman had his back to Gruden, and the coach walked over and “yanked” the headphones off Norman’s head.
That upset Norman, who walked away. Rapoport notes that Gruden told him, “If you keep walking, you’re not going to start the second half.”
Sheehan also reported there are “not a lot of good vibes” between Norman and the coaching staff.
“My source also tells me there is not a lot of good vibes when it comes to Norman among several of the coaches right now. Not much they can do about it,” Sheehan said. “They’re hopeful he begins to play better. They’re hopeful he acts professionally the rest of the year.”
Norman, a first-team All Pro in 2015, is the highest paid cornerback in the NFL, thanks to the five-year, $75 million deal he signed with Washington in 2016. Pro Football Focus rates him “average” at his position.
