The Pats just keep brining in the talent this offseason. The Patriots just agreed to a deal to re-sign arguably their best defensive player last year, Dont'a Hightower. Hightower had visits with many teams this offseason, but there was no place like home in New England. Hightower has been a great talent for the Pats defense, as an anchor last season and making one of the best plays in Super Bowl LI. Hightower's return to New England on makes their roster stronger, making them the favorites for another Super Bowl.
Pay the man!
Dont'a Hightower's new deal is a big one.
The deal is reportedly worth $43.5 million, with $19 million of that in guaranteed money. This deal is over four-years, so he will be making close to $11 million a year. The team paid him $7.751 million in 2016, as they picked up the fifth year option on his rookie deal. Hightower is worth the money as he has made 372 tackles since his rookie year, the most on the team. He was named captain for the 2016 season, and he played well in 13 games, totaling 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Hightower was one of the most sought after free agents in the NFL. He had visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets over the past week, but he left both visits with deals left on the table. Many inside sources believed Hightower was going to be with the Pats all along, as they were the team that could offer him the best thing: rings and more rings.
Pats keep spending
The Patriots' additions this offseason make you think they were going for a first Super Bowl rather than their sixth. They have spent $65 million in guaranteed monies to free agents this offseason. That is $20 million more than the last four Super Bowl winners combined in the offseason after the team won the Super Bowl.
One myth about The Patriots is that they don't spend a lot on players.
The talent New England has received this offseason is ridiculous. They have young talent in Kony Ealy, Brandin Cooks, and Stephen Gilmore. They acquired Dwayne Allen from the Colts, signed Duron Harmon, and signed Dont'a Hightower. The Pats are trying to make Tom Brady's last years in the NFL worth it, as they are loading up with weapons that Brady can depend on.
Getting Hightower back is a big win for the Pats. You get your defensive leader back for another four seasons, keeping the nucleus in tact. The Pats are loading up for another Super Bowl run, and it seems likes nobody will be able to stop them.