New England Patriots: Linebacker Dont’a Hightower Staying at Home on Four Year Deal

The New England Patriots successful offseason continues as they’ve reached a four-year deal to retain inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

The New England Patriots have re-signed their starting middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower.

Hightower and the Patriots have agreed to a four-year deal worth $43.5 million. He is guaranteed $19 million.

The deal was first reported by his agent on twitter.

Hightower was expected to stay with New England, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets tried to pull him away. The Tennessee Titans also hosted him for a visit.

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PartyFowl, a Nashville restaurant, tweeted that they would provide Hightower free Nashville hot chicken for the duration of any contract he signed with the Titans. The linebacker then visited with the New York Jets on his 27th birthday.

Every screen in the Jets facility featured a ‘Happy Birthday’ to Dont’a Hightower. At dinner, they made sure he had cupckaes. All this did not lure Hightower from New England.

On Tuesday, Hightower was in Pittsburgh to visit with the Steelers. They made him an offer but said they would rescind it as soon as he left the city. Ultimately, Hightower chose to remain with his Super Bowl winning teammates in New England.

Hightower’s mother was extremely excited about her son’s new deal. The linebacker shared this little dance on his Instagram account.

Hightower’s teammates were also very excited for his return to Foxboro.

Kyle Van Noy believes Hightower deserves every penny in the deal.

https://twitter.com/KVN_03/status/842070648537067520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Hightower is one of the most crucial players on the Patriots defense. He is the signal caller and vocal leader on the field. Over his first five NFL seasons, Hightower has 404 tackles, 17 sacks, and 13 pass deflections.

In 2016 Dont’a Hightower was voted to his first Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro.

Hightower will have the chance to win more Super Bowls with New England’s improved defense.

The offense will surely hold its own in 2017, so they defense will have to know their role. Hightower remains the defensive leader and will be Matt Patricia’s voice on the field o play and in the huddle.

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New England fans are excited about Hightower’s deal but are still worried about losing cornerback Malcolm Butler. Hopefully that situation is resolved shortly as well.