By John Sarianides

The Patriots signed linebacker Dont’a Hightower to a four year, $43 million dollar contract. The deal includes $19 million guaranteed. 

That is a lot of money for an inside linebacker but the Patriots value Hightower for what he does for them in their fronts and pressure packages. He is an integral part of their defense. 

Hightower was rumored to have gottten a $12 million dollar a year offer from the Jets but he spurned New York’s offer to stay in New England. The Jets are rebuilding and the Patriots are contending. Taking the Patriots offer was a no brainer for Hightower. 

It was obvious from the beginning that Hightower wanted to stay in New England. It is a good fit for him both on and off the field. He and his agent overestimated his value but in the end, Hightower still got a substantial amount of money from the Patriots. He is not that off from where he wanted to be going into free agency.

Belichick traded Chandler Jones and Jaime Collins because he viewed Dont’a Hightower as being more valuable. The Patriots couldn’t afford to lose Hightower given their lack of depth at the linebacker position. That is why they overpaid to keep him in a Patriots uniform for the next four years.

The deal works for both sides. Hightower got paid and the Patriots retained one of their core defensive players. The best team in the NFL got even better today. It seems like we saw that everyday.