Report: Former Alabama LB Dont’a Hightower returning to New England

After winning his second Super Bowl with the New England Patriots last season, former Crimson Tide LB Dont’a Hightower has decided to come back to Boston and compete for another.

The #Patriots and star LB @zeus30hightower reach a deal for 4 years, $43.5M, $19M guaranteed, per @_sportstrust.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2017

Hightower, who won BCS National Championships with Alabama in 2009 and 2011 and Super Bowls with New England in 2014 and 2016, is coming off of a career season with the Patriots.

Though championships are nothing new for Hightower, he did enjoy several career firsts in 2016. These accomplishments included his first Pro Bowl, where he was named a starter, and his first selection to an NFL All-Pro team, as he was voted a Second Teamer by the AP.

In his route back to New England, Hightower reportedly declined a more lucrative deal from the New York Jets.

Told that the #Jets have offered more than $12M per season for #Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower as he gets closer to decision.

— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) March 15, 2017

But other sources have reported that the Jets were never in serious consideration:

To clarify one note, Hightower rejected the Jets' offer two days ago. He never considered signing there.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 15, 2017

Hightower’s reported four-year deal will keep him in Boston through 2020, and he is now the second highest paid traditional linebacker in the NFL based on average annual salary. Carolina’s Luke Kuechly remains the highest at $12.4 million per season. Hightower will earn $10.9 million.

Will Ogburn

A former resident of both Baton Rouge and the heart of Crimson Tide country, Will Ogburn handles multimedia content and news coverage for Saturday Down South.