Report: Dont’a Hightower is re-signing with the New England Patriots

After being a free agent for nearly a week, linebacker Dont’a Hightower will reportedly be going back to the New England Patriots on a new deal.

2017 NFL free agency is about to enter its second week. Many of the top free agent targets have already signed with their employers for 2017 and beyond. Until Wednesday afternoon, inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower had been arguably the biggest name still left on the market.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “Dont’a Hightower is returning to the New England Patriots.” New England continues to crush the opposition, even in the offseason.

The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that Hightower will be inking a four-year extension with New England worth $43.5 million. $19 million of that deal will be fully guaranteed.

New England had an opportunity to slap Hightower with the franchise tag this offseason, but ultimately chose not to. Head coach/general manager Bill Belichick tabbed Hightower as the heir apparent as the locker room captain of the defense to replace the retired Jerod Mayo. Hightower is getting paid to be what Mayo, Tedy Bruschi and Willie McGinest were to the Patriots defense before him.

New England had a ton of cap space this offseason, but was willing to only pay one of its three linebackers a big, multi-year contract. The Patriots traded outside linebacker Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals during last offseason. New England shockingly dealt inside linebacker Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns mid-season last year. Jones and Collins have since inked new deals with their new teams.

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Hightower will play the rest of his prime in the NFL with New England. The best team in football just got better. Bringing him back to Foxborough was priority No. 1 for New England this offseason. Mission accomplished.