Free-agent offensive guard Andrew Norwell has signed with the Washington Commanders. The agreement removes one of the top interior linemen off the open market.
The Washington #Commanders are expected to sign former #Jaguars and #Panthers guard Andrew Norwell , source said. They are close on a deal. He fills a big void on the offensive line.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2022
Andrew Norwell, Washington Commanders, Agree to Deal
Being a free agent is not a new process for Norwell. In 2018, he was considered the highest-rated offensive lineman in that year’s free-agent class. The Jacksonville Jaguars won a fierce bidding war for Norwell’s services. The move to Jacksonville surprised many NFL Insiders. It was widely assumed that Norwell would sign with the New York Giants at the start of free agency.
Norwell’s original deal ran through 2022, but the Jags reconstructed his contract before the 2021 season. It became a one-year deal that allowed Norwell to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season.
Coming out of Cincinnati, OH, he was considered a four-star recruit and selected to play football at Ohio State. During his four seasons, the Buckeyes offensive line went from being the worst in the Big 10 to the conference’s best unit. Norwell split his starting time at the left guard and left tackle positions. Before he graduated from school, Norwell would earn consecutive All-Big 10 Conference honors.
The Ohio State guard signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Norwell has undoubtedly established himself as one of the top undrafted players in modern NFL history. He quickly became a mainstay on the Panthers starting offensive line after he earned a roster spot in the preseason. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Norwell was the only NFL offensive linemen not to allow a sack or quarterback hit in the 2017 season. His outstanding play earned him First-Team All-Pro honors.
Since joining the Jaguars, Norwell has been the standard of quality play expected from an interior lineman. He played 57 games for the franchise. Norwell has earned high-efficiency grades because of the low amount of penalties called on him and the lack of blown blocking assignments. For his career, PFF has graded Norwell an 80.7 for pass-blocking and 71.5 for run-blocking. This ranking places him near the top as one of the league’s best guards.
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