default-cbs-image

The rivalry between Josh Norman and Odell Beckham exploded onto the scene in an ugly fashion during the 2015 season, when Beckham was nearly -- and should have been -- ejected for throwing fists and going helmet-to-helmet at Norman. Beckham was suspended a game for the incident.

With Norman bolting Carolina to sign with the Redskins after the Panthers rescinded his franchise tag, he'll get to face OBJ twice a year. And Beckham basically told GQ in an upcoming issue (not yet published, quote via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) he thinks Norman came to the Redskins in order to get more attention by going up against Beckham twice a year.

More specifically: Beckham said he's the reason Norman "became so relevant."

"It goes back to what I was saying," Beckham said. "If I wasn't playing him twice a year, maybe people wouldn't bring it up as much. But now it'll be a lot more media attention for him, attention that I don't really look for, attention that I don't need. The reason he's become so relevant is because of me."

Now, this isn't true. Norman became famous by being a really good cornerback. Some would argue he's not great -- including our own Pete Prisco, who named him the Redskins' most overrated player -- but he is very good.

How good remains to be seen with the Redskins schedule. In the first three weeks of 2016, Norman will face Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant and Beckham. It doesn't get much easier from there.

Beckham is substantially more famous than Norman, and their battles will only improve Norman's profile. But the cornerback didn't pick the Redskins because he gets to play Beckham twice a year. He picked the Redskins because the Panthers cast him out without working out a deal and Washington offered a lot of money, a team close to home, and a spot on a defense that badly needed cornerback help.

If Norman gets the best of Beckham twice next year, he'll have been well worth the price.