Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower is unwilling to accept a pay cut this offseason, according to Doug Kyed of NESN.com. The Pats have yet to approach Hightower about a pay reduction, however, so it may be a moot point. 
It has been speculation that Hightower could be a cap casualty due to his nearly $11MM cap hit and $7MM salary for the upcoming season. If released, Hightower knows that he would find a ripe market for his services with teams like the Lions and Dolphins in need of a middle linebacker. The Pats, meanwhile, would save $5.945MM and carry a dead money hit charge of $5MM.
Hightower, 29 in March, was healthy in 2018, which was a step up from his five-game campaign in 2017. However, his 48 tackles were the lowest total of any full season in his career. The advanced metrics were down on him, too. He graded out as just the No. 51 ranked linebacker in the NFL with a career-worst 63.7 mark. Along with the 48 tackles, Hightower had three tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, an interception, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Hightower re-upped with the Patriots in 2017 on a four-year pact worth $35.5MM. He reportedly had a five-year deal worth $62.5MM on the table from the Jets, but opted to stay at home instead.
He is a good linebacker but they can get more production elsewhere. Cut him loose or try and trade him
Disagree. Pats may not beat the Rams without him and would’ve beaten the Eagles if he played.
Nor would they have beaten Atlanta. Pats play a containment defense and he’s the quarterback of that D. He stays.
The “ Genius” and cheatgate will figure it out they always do. Just depends on where they want to pivot. Do they want to deflate the balls or pump them up.
Ignorant statement, but yes they do usually figure it out
What was ignorant about calling the Pats cheaters. They’ve been caught and convicted at least twice.
Have u actually read what “spygate” was actually about? They broke a new rule, didn’t cheat, videotaping was not illegal and never had been. Deflategate was a bunch of leaked misinformation and was literally all made up
And punish would be the word, not convicted
Pats fan?
I know everyone hates a winner! I worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a statistician and let me tell you, there is a lot of things other teams do that you don’t hear about! I know first hand
“Pivot. Pivot” – Dr Geller.
Ripe market of two teams? Also, the dolphins have save said they are tanking for tua in 2019. Why does this guy have a job Tim?
There would certainly be more than two teams in the market for his services. Pretty sure those are just a couple of examples.