Pats focus on defense at unofficial start of free agency
The Patriots are devoting lots of attention and money to the defensive side of the ball at the unofficial start of free agencyMARCH 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DONT'A HIGHTOWER
Intends to play in 2021 Hightower intends to play for the Patriots in 2021, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact Hightower was one of eight Patriots to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns related to COVID-19, but it looks as though he wants to return for the team in 2021. Whether New England will reciprocate those feelings is a bit more unclear, given that $9.95 million of Hightower's $12.45 million cap hit for next season would be cleared if he's traded or released. Safety Patrick Chung and offensive lineman Marcus Cannon both also announced that they'll return in 2021.
FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Likely to play in 2021 Patriots safety Devin McCourty said he expects Hightower to return for 2021, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.
Impact One of eight Patriots to opt out for 2020, the 31-year-old linebacker apparently plans to resume his career, though it isn't clear he'll stay in New England. Hightower is scheduled for a $12.45 million cap hit in the final year of his contract, with the Patriots able to clear up $9.95 million in cap space if he's traded or released.
FEBRUARY 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Patriots: Dont’a Hightower’s 2021 return is still far from determined Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower apparently hasn't decided whether he'll return in 2021. The New England Patriots are fresh off producin...
JANUARY 13, 2021 • MUSKETFIRE.COM
Status for next year unclear It's unclear whether Hightower (opt out) plans to return to the Patriots next season, Jeff Howe of The Athletic reports.
Impact Hightower will be 31 at the start of the 2021 campaign and became a father shortly before opting out of the 2020 season. While safety Patrick Chung has committed to returning to the Patriots after sitting out 2020, it remains to be seen whether the veteran linebacker will follow suit or if Hightower's ready to move on from football.
JANUARY 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Patriots Anfernee Jennings, Kyle Dugger lean on opt out players Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung for advice "Any time he chimes in, I'm definitely always listening."
DECEMBER 9, 2020 • BOSTON.COM
Patriots’ continued inability to replace Dont’a Hightower is bad It's Week 10 of the 2020 NFL season and the Patriots still have no answer at linebacker. We can't say enough about the lack of depth the New...
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • MUSKETFIRE.COM
Dont'a Hightower had interesting reaction to Stephon Gilmore penalty Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower an interesting reaction to a penalty called in the first half.
OCTOBER 18, 2020 • USATODAY.COM
Abram, Simmons among 2nd-year players poised for breakouts
Johnathan Abram’s physical play and loud talking made him a player Jon Gruden felt would be a tone-setter for the Raiders defense last seasonAUGUST 24, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jets' Mosley says opt-out was a very tough football decision
CAUGUST 4, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP sources: Jets LB C.J. Mosley opting out of NFL season
Two people familiar with the decision tell The Associated Press that New York Jets linebacker CAUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL training camps opening with eye on baseball, babysitting
Brady and Brees aren’t the B words dominating the opening of NFL training campsJULY 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Patriots’ Dont’a Hightower opts out of 2020 season The linebacker becomes the fifth New England player to choose not to play.
JULY 28, 2020 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM
Opting out of 2020 Hightower is opting out of the 2020 season, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.
Impact Hightower became a first-time father July 16, which likely played a big role in his decision. He's one of five Patriots that have decided to opt out, joining OT Marcus Cannon, FB Danny Vitale, RB Brandon Bolden and OL Najee Toran. The 30-year-old linebacker made 15 starts last year, recording 71 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four pass defenses while playing 78 percent of defensive snaps.
JULY 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Post-Brady Patriots cut costs as free agents depart
The Patriots were in cost-cutting mode on the first day of free agencyMARCH 18, 2020
The Latest: 7 Hall of Famers set to announce picks
The Latest: Another day, another crowd of 200,000 at draftAPRIL 27, 2019
Hightower thrilled to be back on Patriots' defense
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Dont'a Hightower is clearly thrilled to be back on the field after the frustration of having to sit and watch most of last season on the sidelines.JUNE 6, 2018
The best players still available as free agency's second week begins
The initial crush of free-agent signings has subsided, but there’s still a lot of talent left on the market, particularly for teams in need of reinforcements within the front seve...JUNE 30, 2017
Dont'a Hightower joins Patriots' Bennett, McCourty in skipping White House
Dont’a Hightower is the third Patriots player electing to skip the team’s White House visit.JUNE 30, 2017
New England Patriots: Revisiting Preseason Predictions
Accountability. It is a key word in the New England Patriots’ locker room and every player is accountable for doing their job. Why should i...JUNE 30, 2017
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Top 5 Matchups in NFL Week 17
The 13-2 New England Patriots travel to South Florida on Sunday to face the surprising 10-5 Miami Dolphins.Much like the New York Jets last...JANUARY 1, 2017
New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins: Prediction, Odds, Preview
The New England Patriots travel to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on New Year’s Day to face the Miami Dolphins at 1:00 PM tele...DECEMBER 31, 2016
