Surprise move by Panthers makes star CB a free agent

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NFL free-agent cornerback market just got more interesting.

Josh Norman, one of the league’s top corners, became an unrestricted free agent Wednesday after the Carolina Panthers surprisingly rescinded their non-exclusive franchise tag offer to the All-Pro and wished him well — someplace else.

Norman, 28, elected not to sign the franchise tag offer from the Panthers which would have paid him $13.9 million in 2016 while holding out for a long-term pact. The two sides could never agree on monetary compensation.

Now Norman can sign with any team.

“After a number of conversations with Josh’s agent, we realized that a long-term deal was not attainable,” Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in a release. “We have decided to rescind the franchise tag, freeing Josh to immediately become a UFA.”

A former fifth-round draft pick, Norman had a career-high four interceptions and helped the NFC champion Panthers lead the NFL in interceptions (24), takeaways (39), points off turnovers (148) last season. He also had 16 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

PRO FOOTBALL Eagles trade for No. 2 pick

Desperate for a franchise quarterback, the Philadelphia Eagles can get their man. Soon.

The Cleveland Browns will wait for their guy.

The Eagles acquired the No. 2 overall pick in next week’s draft from Cleveland in exchange for five picks. The Browns are getting Philadelphia’s first-round pick this year (No. 8), a third-round pick (No. 77) and fourthrounder (No. 100), plus a first-rounder in 2017 and a second-rounder in 2018.

Cleveland also sends a fourth-round pick in 2017 to the Eagles.

“It’s a tough price to pay,” said Howie Roseman, Philadelphia’s vice president of football operations. “We’re very sure we’re going to get the player we want.”

The trade allows Philadelphia to select one of the top quarterback prospects, Carson Wentz of North Dakota State or Jared Goff of California at No. 2. The Los Angeles Rams already acquired the top overall pick from Tennessee for a slew of picks and have indicated they will take a QB.

The Eagles signed Sam Bradford to a $35 million, two-year contract in March. Roseman said he’ll be the starter. They also signed backup Chase Daniel to a $21 million, three-year deal. But Roseman couldn’t resist an opportunity to move up after acquiring the No. 8 pick from Miami.

“We’re going to invest in quarterbacks,” Roseman said. “The key to being championship caliber over a long period of time is quarterbacks.”

Cleveland now has 12 selections in this year’s draft, including six of the top 100 picks.

HOCKEY Flyers prolong series; Stars win

Michal Neuvirth stopped 31 shots in his first start of the playoff series, helping the Philadelphia Flyers stave off a sweep with a 2-1 home win over the Washington Capitals.

The Capitals still lead the series 3-1 entering Game 5 on Friday night in Washington. In other NHL action:

• Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal with his skate, Ales Hemsky and Patrick Eaves each scored on a second-period power play to give Dallas’ lagging special teams a lift, and the visiting Stars beat the Minnesota Wild 3-2 to push their series lead to 3-1.

• Alex Petrovic scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period, and the Florida Panthers beat the host New York Islanders 2-1 to even their first-round playoff series at 2-2.

TENNIS Nadal breezes past Granollers

Rafael Nadal rebounded from an early break to beat Marcel Granollers 6-3, 6-2, advancing to the third round of the Barcelona Open in Spain. In other news: • Defending champion Angelique Kerber came from behind to defeat fellow German Annika Beck 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.

BASKETBALL Washington dies at 52

Dwayne “Pearl” Washington, who went from New York City playground wonder to Big East star for Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, has died. He was 52.

Washington, who played three years in the NBA, died Wednesday of cancer, the university said.