The Jets and Patriots are currently the favorites to land free agent linebacker Dont’a Hightower, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter). However, La Canfora notes that several other clubs are closely monitoring the situation.
We learned yesterday that New England was still interested in re-signing Hightower, who was named to his first Pro Bowl this season. The Alabama product finished the 2016 campaign with 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games, and he was listed as the best available linebacker in our free agent positional rankings. Until today, however, no one other than the Patriots had been definitively connected to Hightower (although another AFC East club, the Dolphins, have been mentioned as a possible fit).
Needless to say, the Jets and Patriots are in very different places as far as their immediate championship prospects, so Gang Green may have to outbid New England by a wide margin if they want to lure Hightower away from Foxborough. The Patriots, though, still have plenty of money to spend, and none of their other options offer the type of production that Hightower does from the middle linebacker spot, so they may be inclined to match a larger offer from another club, even if they were unwilling to use the franchise or transition tag on Hightower. New England typically embraces a “next man up” philosophy, but the team may make an exception in this case.
The market is capped for a non-rush ‘backer like Hightower, but he is among the best at what he does, and he has also been lauded for his intangibles. Coming off another Super Bowl championship, he may be willing to join a rebuilding team like the Jets if the money is right. However, just yesterday we heard that one team involved in Hightower talks is convinced he will remain with the Pats.
Cmon Bill we got rid of Chan Jones, Collins, and we found cheaper alternatives for Bennett and Sheard to let us have the leverage to sign Donta and Malcolm
How are the Jets a possible landing spot here?
Must be the money, which is what most of you who criticize players for it would be doing too. He’s already got 2 rings, so what else is there?
A third
Don’t let the Jets again steal our best free agent. Pats need to step up and show him the money.
Duh..
The Jets I would be shocked if he decides to go there That’s like having a hot wife and leaving her to spend your life with the ugly maid who cleaned your toilets.
The maid might be better in the sack
Maybe he’s tired of that hot wife who always seems to be cheating
Salty outsider lmao
@porzingod sour grapes and haters. Enjoy your jets and knicks !!! #bostoncityofchampions.
If you Jets Fans and your Organization spend half the time than whining and complaining Patriots are Cheaters you might have a good team.You might actually have Free Agents that want to play for your team instead laughing at the Agents when he says Jets have an offer
Kiss the rings bro
That shot was too easy and unimaginative, Pats Hater.
Maybe the maid has more money than the hot wife who is just a free loader
What the hell happened with Tennessee?
Why the hell would he even think about going there he just won a Superbowl and why would he go to the low-life jets New England is the team to beat for the next five to six years in Bill We Trust I’m sure Dante Hightower will be back with New England
He won so now he goes where the money is I guess. Some guys do that.
5 to 6 years? I’m looking forward to the rude awakening father time has in store for your aging QB in the next year or two. The Pats dynasty is done as soon as Brady is done.
Hawks are already done
Are Dynasty might be done one day but at least we had a Dynasty You guys are still milking the Joe Namath days which is pretty pathetic
Duh..
since the packers lost Lang it gives extra money to go all in for Hightower
Jets are just a negotiation chip. There’s no way he’s seriously considering them.
Donte is coming home to Tennessee!
Unlikely, but I’d consider TN more of a threat than NYJ.
Why would he want to go to the dysfunctional Jets who have been cleaning house this offseason and are beginning a rebuilding period so why would 1 they want to add a big name FA right now and 2 why would a big name FA want to sign there right now? And BB should be smart enough not to let one of his stars go within the Division and that’s probably why the Jets want him, just so the Pats don’t have him
Without Dont’a & Butler the Pats would have lost the last 2 Super Bowls. And would be 3-4 instead of 5-2 in them under Belichick. The Pats are my team no matter. But Butler should have got paid before Gilmore. And Donte needs to remain with the Pats. Both are nothing but no problem, do everything right, positive on and off the field, on the list at best at their positions in the NFL, team first players.
Jets shouldn’t even waste their time going after high caliber veterans. They are obviously in rebuild mode and will end up releasing him or trading him anyways.
Guess you guys don’t get it. Jets are obviously offering a boatload of cash. Hightower knows this is his big payday. When you can make a extra 10 to 20 million you would consider any team. Also screw the jets and the patriots. Clowns
He has to look after his family first ofc.
But after success at Bma & with the Pats;
Dont’a would be miserable at best playing for a loser like the Jets.
Hopefully he’s just trying to get the highest offer out there so he can present that to the Patriots.
And raise the NE offer to the highest possible then come back.
I love when people say he has to look at family first. The only thing to be worried about is education, and with their incomes, that’s not even really a problem. The best public schools and private schools are at their disposal.
The money is more than enough from either team to provide for a family for the rest of their lives.
Of course, if they insist on doing stupid things with said money, like buy 30 houses, well, that’s their fault.
I love it when someone can see into another persons future . And know all the problems they will face and decide what is enough money for them.. Since the education issues are already taken care of; maybe he should let the Patriots have his services at the price that’s best for them. After all he is playing a sport that has proven to produce concussions & leads to brain damage.He’s already been injured a lot. And He’s only 1 play away from a major injury that could end his career. Just like it did for his ex teammate Jerod Mayo. And if that does happens to him, the Pats will cut him in a heartbeat.