Dont’a Hightower Expected to Hit the Free Agent Market
Hightower will be the hottest name on the NFL free agency market
New England is already off the high of winning their fifth Super Bowl and looking to catch up on missed time.
Looking to save cap space heading into next season the Patriots will reportedly choose not to use the franchise tag on linebacker Dont’a Hightower.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report Hightower would likely be headed to the NFL free agency market, which opens up next week.
Just in: @_sportstrust informed that Patriots' LB @zeus30hightower will not be given franchise tag. Hightower now expected to test market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2017
New England drafted Hightower in the first round if the 2012 NFL Draft out of Alabama and exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie deal last year. That option paid Hightower $7.75 million last season.
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Bill Belichick has been unwilling to pay out large contracts to even his biggest stars. Last offseason pass rusher Chandler Jones was traded to Arizona with one year left on his rookie contract, and linebacker Jamie Collins was traded to Cleveland after failing to reach an extension mid-season with the Patriots.
New England can still re-sign Hightower to a new contract, but the prospects of him returning appear unlikely. The Patriots are projected to enter the offseason with over $62 million in cap space.
Belichick faces the possibility of losing several key pieces of his championship team this offseason, including Logan Ryan, Martellus Bennett, Alan Branch, and LeGarrette Blount.
Kyle Van Noy now has an opportunity to be the starting middle linebacker with New England after being acquired from the Lions this year.
Next: Eric Berry Signs Long-Term Extension
With the 32nd pick in this years NFL Draft the Patriots could possibly select a linebacker in a defensive-heavy draft. A potential trade involving Jimmy Garoppolo could ultimately put the Patriots in prime position to get one of the better middle linebackers in this years class.