Offensive guard Andrew Norwell has signed a five-year, $66.5 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 26-year-old spent the first four years of his career with the Carolina Panthers.
Former Panthers’ G Andrew Norwell intends to sign with the Jaguars on a 5-year deal for $66.5 million, including $30M fully guaranteed, source tells ESPN. He is going to become NFL’s highest paid guard – $13.3 million average.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2018
Report: Andrew Norwell Signs With the Jacksonville Jaguars
Andrew Norwell has been a dominant interior lineman throughout his young career, and he has certainly earned this massive pay raise. In 2017, Norwell established himself as one of the best guards in the league, earning First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time. He started all 16 games at left guard for the Panthers and Pro Football Focus ranked him as the third-best guard in the league. His last contract was a one-year, roughly $2.75 million deal that came as a result of Carolina placing a second-round tender on him.
During his first few seasons, Norwell largely flew under the radar, despite his impressive play. He has been consistent and dependable, missing only three games since taking over the starting job as a rookie. He was a key member of the Panthers offense during the team’s Super Bowl run in 2016. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 325 pounds, Norwell formed a mauling interior line trio with Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner.
Norwell is used to flying under the radar. The former Ohio State standout did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine and ultimately went undrafted in 2014. 15 offensive guards were selected that year, including Panther teammate Turner.
He played four seasons as a member of the Buckeyes and earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors twice. During his senior year, he helped Ohio State shatter school records for points scored (637), touchdowns (87), and touchdown passes (38). He started 39 games during his final three seasons and served as the backup right tackle for 11 games during his freshman year. Rivals.com rated him as a four-star recruit and the 59th-best player in the country when he committed to Ohio State.
Norwell is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended Anderson High School.
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