Commanders expected to sign one-time All-Pro G Andrew Norwell

The Commanders look to be adding a significant piece to their offensive line. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, they are “close” to signing guard Andrew Norwell (Twitter link). An update from ESPN’s John Keim (on Twitter) adds that Norwell “has agreed to the deal,” the terms of which are not yet known.

Norwell, 30, began his career in Carolina in 2014. He was a full-time starter during that period, which overlapped with current Commanders head coach Ron Rivera‘s time in charge of the Panthers. He saved his best year for last in Charlotte, earning Pro Bowl and All Pro honors.

That earned him a lucrative second contract. The former Buckeye signed a five-year, $66.5M deal with the Jaguars in 2018. While his play has been consistent in Jacksonville, it hasn’t reached the level of that 2017 campaign, at least from an analytical perspective. Norwell earned a solid 70.5 PFF grade in his first year in Duval County, but has been rated in the mid-60s ever since.

That makes it unsurprising that the Jaguars would allow the former UDFA to head elsewhere in free agency. After making $9M in salary and carrying a cap charge of $15M in 2021, Norwell became less of a priority on the interior of their O-line after the addition of Washington standout Brandon Scherff. It now appears that the Commanders have reciprocated that move by adding Norwell.