Dont'a

Hightower

Hightower was a staple of the Patriots’ defense for a decade playing anywhere in the front seven the team needed. The two-time Pro Bowler made an immediate impact on the team after being drafted 25th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. While he has three rings, most will remember him for his game changing sack-fumble on Matt Ryan before the Patriots went on to win Super Bowl LI. Hightower had been out on football since his last contract with the Patriots was up after the 2021 season and now he makes it official.

Letting Hightower walk is expected for a Patriots team that rarely re-signs late stage veterans. Hightower’s production dipped in 2021, finishing with 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 games. The 32-year-old opted out of 2020 and was linked to retirement this offseason but is expected to continue his career. The Steelers, who hired Brian Flores as a senior assistant, could be a fit if the Patriots move on from Hightower.

Hightower was ruled out earlier in the week with a knee injury. The issue isn’t expected to cost him any time during the playoffs. He has 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks this year.

Hightower will miss Sunday’s game but is expected to be ready for the playoffs. After opting out of 2020, Hightower closes the regular season with 64 tackles and 1.5 sacks while playing 67% of the Patriots’ defensive snaps.

Rapoport’s report is further confirmation that the Pats will get their key players back next season after they opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. “Physically, all are in a good place,” Rapoport said. Without Hightower and Chung last year, New England allowed the 15th most yards per game and the seventh fewest points per game. Cannon will be $9.62 million against the cap in 2021, Chung will cost $5.13 million against the cap, and Hightower will cost $11.32 million against the cap. With upgrades at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, and running back, the Patriots could easily be playoff contenders in 2021.

New England had a league-high eight players opt out of the 2020 season, an option offered to players who did not want to play while the COVID-19 pandemic raged. “From my understanding they’ll all be back,” McCourty told NBC Sports’ Tom Curran on Friday. That would include standout linebacker Dont’a Hightower, tackle Marcus Cannon, safety Patrick Chung, tight end Matt LaCosse, running back Brandon Bolden, fullback Dan Vitale, receiver Marqise Lee, and guard Najee Toran. Unless the team upgrades at wideout in the coming months, Lee could instantly become the team’s best receiver if he’s active in 2021. There was some question as to whether Hightower would return next season; McCourty seems to think he will. Hightower’s return would be a crucial addition for one of the league’s most talent starved teams.

Howe isn’t reporting on speculation that Hightower might retire, just that it is literally not known what he plans to do. We have not heard a peep about Hightower since he opted out following the birth of his child on July 16. The soon-to-be 31-year-old had a monster season in 2019 and was sorely, sorely missed in the front seven for New England this year. Hightower is due $8 million in 2021, an affordable sum for the cap-flush Pats.

The 30-year-old recently had a baby on July 16 and is choosing to exercise his opt out due to COVID-19 concerns. Unlike teammate Marcus Cannon, who is a cancer survivor, Hightower’s opt-out is considered voluntary, meaning he’s entitled to a $150,000 stipend rather than the “high-risk” $350,000. They’ll both join Brandon Bolden, FB Danny Vitale, and G Najee Toran among those who opted out for New England so far. Hightower’s absence in particular leaves the Patriots short four of their top five linebackers from last year, forced to pivot to some combination of ILB Ja’Whaun Bentley, EDGEs Chase Winovich and John Simon, and veteran Brandon Copeland moving forward. The former Pro Bowler logged 48 tackles and PFF’s fifth-highest run grade among 4-3 outside linebackers just last year.

His listed playing weight is 260, though according to Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston, he’s played most of his career at 270 pounds. Plagued by injuries in previous year, Hightower mostly stayed healthy in 2018, logging 48 tackles while earning PFF’s fifth-highest run grade among 4-3 outside linebackers. Hightower is hoping his new, leaner physique will improve his durability.

Hightower is due a gaudy $11 million salary in 2019 and won’t be amenable to taking a pay cut. That could complicate the Patriots’ efforts to retain Trent Brown, Trey Flowers, Stephen Gostkowski and Chris Hogan, who are all headed for free agency. While $11 million is a steep price to pay, especially for a linebacker, Hightower remains an important locker room presence and came up huge in last year’s Super Bowl win over the Rams.