Dont’a Hightower rumors: Jets out of the running
Dont’a Hightower should sign shortly, but it won’t be with the New York Jets.
Dont’a Hightower is the top free agent remaining in the 2017 NFL offseason. Drafted by the New England Patriots, he’s been arguably their most important defensive player over the past five years. However, he’s a free agent and multiple teams have expressed interest in him. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Patriots appear to be the finalists. Despite offering him the most money, the New York Jets are likely out of the running.
According to source familiar with the negotiations, the Jets have been out of the Hightower market since he left the building @nflnetwork
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 15, 2017
Reportedly, the Steelers offer is off the table since Hightower left. However, Hightower has not yet signed with a team. Still, this is a pretty big loss for the Jets. They’re trying to make a run at respectability. Signing Hightower to lead their defense definitely would have helped accomplish this. The Jets certainly didn’t lose out on him due to a lack of effort. They reportedly offered him over $10 million per year and even gave him cupcakes for his birthday.
New York will have to go a different route to rebuilding their team after a rough three seasons. Not only do they have nobody to lead their defense, they don’t even know who their quarterback is at this point. Will they draft one or will they stick with Bryce Petty? Could the Jets sign Jay Cutler or even Robert Griffin III?
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Perhaps it’s for the best that Hightower won’t be signing with them. They need to build through the draft. Maybe Hightower turning them down forces them to do it the right way. Still, it hurts to lose out on him, especially when the Patriots are the favorites to re-sign him. Especially when they offered him so much money and gave him cupcakes for his birthday.