Pats won’t tag Dont’a
INDIANAPOLIS — Linebacker Dont’a Hightower may become an unrestricted free agent next week.
The Patriots have informed Hightower they will not place the franchise tag on him by tomorrow’s deadline, according to a source. The tag would have guaranteed Hightower a salary of roughly $15 million in 2017, but the two sides aren’t close enough to a long-term contract extension for the Patriots to feel comfortable enough to commit that type of money for one season.
Free agency begins March 9 at 4 p.m., so the Patriots have time to continue negotiations with their prized free agent. It’s important to note negotiations haven’t broken off between the sides, it’s just that the back-andforth isn’t trending in the right direction. However, events played out similarly with safety Devin McCourty in 2015 before he signed a five-year, $47.5 million contract on the cusp of free agency.
Hightower could be worth upward of $60 million over five years, including $30 million guaranteed, because he is one of the best linebackers in the league and on the short list of top free agents at any position. Considering there are 25 teams with at least $20 million in cap space, including 20 teams with at least $30 million, there’s plenty of money to go around.
The Patriots have $65 million in projected space, which is the fourth most in the NFL and $19 million more than any playoff team. Hightower is viewed as their most valuable free agent, but the class also includes cornerback Logan Ryan and tight end Martellus Bennett, who are both expected to land big paydays.
The Patriots have enough money to keep them all. But for the time being, they don’t appear willing to commit $15 million in cap space to anyone other than quarterback Tom Brady.
Hightower finished last season with 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks but missed three games with a knee injury. Although he is well regarded as someone who will play through pain, Hightower has missed time to injury in each of the last three seasons, including four games in both 2014 and 2015.