New England Patriots keep coveted free agent Dont'a Hightower
Friday 17 March 2017 12:46, UK
The New England Patriots have re-signed free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower on a four-year deal.
The deal is reported to be worth $43.5m with $19m guaranteed. His average salary of $10.875m per season puts Hightower second behind Carolina Panthers star Luke Kuechly among inside linebackers and just ahead of Bobby Wagner and Navarro Bowman.
Hightower, who turned 27 earlier this month, was a Patriots captain in 2016 and acts as the signal-caller in Bill Belichick's defence. New England allowed a league-low 15.6 points per game during the regular-season in 2016.
Last season he finished with 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits. He has 372 tackles and 17 sacks since being a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2012.
His fourth-quarter strip sack of Matt Ryan in the Super Bowl was one of the key plays in New England's historic 25-point comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Hightower will re-sign with the Patriots despite interest from the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans. He visited New York and Pittsburgh earlier this week before making his decision.
His return caps a stellar offseason for the season for the Patriots as they chase their third Super Bowl title in four seasons.
The team has traded for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, tight end Dwayne Allen and defensive end Kony Ealy.
In addition to Hightower, the Patriots have managed to retain a number of other key free agents in defensive tackle Alan Branch, safety Duron Harmon and full back James Develin.
New England has also spent big to sign cornerback Stephon Gilmore, running back Rex Burkhead and defensive tackle Lawrence Guy in free agency.
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