Signing Josh Norman won’t prevent long-term deal with Kirk Cousins, others

11:03 AM ET

The Washington Redskins had stayed on the sidelines of free agency, not flush with much cap space and knowing big paydays awaited their own free agents in 2017 — notably quarterback Kirk Cousins. Josh Norman’s signing Friday certainly went against those plans, but it won’t prevent them from affording to sign Cousins next offseason.

According to Spotrac.com, Norman’s cap hit will be $20 million in the second season of his contract, a year when the Redskins had $58 million in available cap space before Friday’s deal. The Redskins only have 16 players signed through 2018 — they haven’t been pushing money into the future by redoing deals — so that helps.

The Redskins hope they end up having to pay Cousins a big contract because it would mean he matched his 2015 success. For now, they’re not yet willing to meet his asking price of $20 million per year, so he’ll play under the franchise tag of $19.95 million.

But if Cousins plays well, he’ll be costly. However, the cost to Washington would be much greater if it failed to re-sign him. And, because of the position he plays, Cousins would be the top priority. Landing Norman doesn’t alter those plans.

Josh Norman’s signing Friday won’t prevent the Redskins from making signing their own free agents. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The question, though, becomes: What happens to the other free agents in 2017?

The Redskins have a few: receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, tight end Jordan Reed, defensive end Chris Baker and linebacker Junior Galette. All would potentially be costly to re-sign, if their years go as they hope. Because Galette is a …

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