Redskins’ Quinton Dunbar Requests Trade Or Release

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.

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