Quinton Dunbar turned in a strong 2019 season, but his standing with the current Redskins regime may not be as firm as it was with the previous power structure.
The veteran cornerback has requested to be traded or released, John Keim of ESPN.com reports. Dunbar also personally confirmed his desire to move on to a team that wants him for the long haul, as JP Finlay of NBC Sports tweets.
Dunbar had engaged in extension talks with the Bruce Allen-led regime, but it’s not clear if any such discussions have transpired since Ron Rivera‘s hire. Dunbar spoke with a Redskins front office staffer Monday but, per Keim, had not been in contact with the team’s new power structure since Rivera’s arrival.
Dunbar is attached to a three-year, $10.5MM deal. Signed shortly after the 2017 season ended, that pact runs through 2020. Dunbar signed that Washington extension when he was a part-time player, but after a breakthrough 2019, the ex-Florida Gator may be looking to cash in.
The former UDFA intercepted a career-high four passes (in 11 games) last season and graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 overall cornerback. Washington’s other two primary corners — Fabian Moreau and Josh Norman — ended the season as PFF’s Nos. 97 and 111 corners.
Considering the going rate for starting corners, Dunbar is underpaid. The 27-year-old defender is set to make just $3.25MM next season. That figure ranks well outside the upper reaches of the cornerback salary hierarchy, one that was long topped by Norman’s $15MM-per-year deal. Multiple rookie-deal corners out-earn Dunbar on average. Norman is expected to be released this offseason, but the Redskins appear to have more issues than anticipated at this position.
Assistant principal DUNBAR
Beware PFF’s ratings. They mean nothing.
If they release him, I don’t think anyone would be willing to give him top tier money. Too injury prone and PFF rankings aren’t gospel. I like him, but I don’t think he should be paid $15/year.
This guy must be crazy.He has 1 half way decent year and he wants a new deal? How about the money he was paid last year when he did nothing? Did The team try to take back some of the money then?
I am sick of these prima donas. He signed a contract and now you have to live with it. For 1 more year and then he becomes a FA. Until then… have the integrity to stand by your word and play under the contract you signed(no one had a gun to his head when he signed it) and be happy with what you have. Worry about a new contract after the current one is done!
That’s totally unfair. We all know teams don’t honor contracts. I don’t blame players for wanting to max their earnings, but they overestimate their value for sure sometimes.
I am sure there are plenty of teams who would double his salary for him to be their cb2
I don’t agree with that statement – “We all know teams don’t honor contracts.”
How do they not honor? Many NFL contracts have 2 values – the total dollars and the guarantee dollars. They have no choice but to honor the Guarantee dollars. The rest…. not so much.
While some contract restructures are relatively player-friendly, others are not, and are forced on the player under threat of being cut.
If a player signs a two year contract and underperforms in year one, a team will cut them or ask to take a pay cut.
If a player outperforms his contract after one year, why should he not have the same leverage?
Keep in mind, the player is a human being who has worked his entire life for a chance at NFL earnings. Most likely their career will only be a few years.
Owners are billionaires and the NFL is a faceless corporation that prints money.
How is it our country was founded on the idea of not bowing to Kings, but Americans line up to lick the balls of billionaires?
But should the team cut a player they still have to pay all the guaranteed money over the life of that contract.
Only 50% of NFL contract $ is guaranted and that total is skewed by contracts to Qb’s and a few big stars. All other major league sports guarantee almost all their contracts.
I agree with bigjon completely. A contract should be the end of the topic. I liked it when he signed it….so many self centered athletes trying to play a team sport.
Dunbar is not in a position to dictate terms. If he’d like to give up football, then he doesn’t have to play out the last year of his contract. The XFL awaits.
At least he was courteous enough to give them a choice
“Dumb Bear? No no no Dunbar.”
I like him. His play is special. Still, he needs to find proper representation to guide him through the process. Unfortunate, this.
What’s a matter does he want to play in the XFL ??