I don't think it was a situation where they wanted him gone because he couldn't play. He proved his play ability last year, but they have Cam and Luke Kuechly to retain in the coming years. It sounds as if Norman was dead set on 14-16 mil a yr and wasn't going to budge. I think ownwership wanted him gone. Othwise why not keep him around until the draft? If they would have held on to him and used him as a trade lure in the draft they could have gotten a 3rd for him. Same as they'll get if he gets a big contract this year, except that by letting walk they dont get the compensation until 2017. Its only a week away. They are a contender. You could get that pick this year and get more picks while your still a viable SB favorite.
Something about how and when this happened stinks of of something rotten. Carolina or Norman? IDK, but its probably to expensive to find out.