Decision From LB Dont’a Hightower To Come Today, Still Expected To Re-Sign With Patriots

Update:

Mike Silver, citing a source familiar with the negotiations, reports that the Jets have been out of the market for free agent LB Dont’a Hightower since he left the building a few days ago.

• Jason Cole of B/R has been told that the Jets’ offer to Hightower would pay him over $12 million per year.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that free agent LB Dont’a Hightower is slated to decide between signing with the Patriots, Steelers or Jets at some point Wednesday.

• According to Rapoport, sources close to Hightower still expect him to re-sign with the Patriots.
• Aditi Kinkhabwala mentions that the Steelers are likely out of the running for Hightower, but felt their offer was “very close.”
• Albert Breer expects Hightower’s contract to end up between $10-$11 million per year.

Hightower, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Patriots back in 2012. He played out his rookie contract before the Patriots picked up his fifth-year option last year and is now testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.

Hightower is bay far the best available players still available in this year’s free agent market and should be able to secure an impressive contract in the end.

In 2016, Hightower appeared in 13 games for the Patriots and recorded 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two pass defenses and a safety. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 13 linebacker out of 87 qualifying players.

We have him featured in our Top 50 Available Free Agents list.