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Report: Patriots LB Dont’a Hightower turned down more from Steelers and Jets

Dont'a Hightower
Courtesy of USA Today Images

When Dont’a Hightower returned to the New England Patriots after a free-agent tour, it didn’t necessarily comes as a surprise. He wasn’t met with the same hot market some expected. Other realistic options included the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, both of whom he visited with.

In the end, the Pro Bowl linebacker settled on a four-year, $35.5 million contract to remain in New England.

It now looks like he actually took less to stay in place. According to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, both the Steelers and Jets actually offered Hightower better contracts than the Pats.

“The linebacker was clearly never leaving New England for AFC East rival New York, as he had $11 million per season with the chance to make over $12 million including incentives on the table, La Canfora reported. “The Steelers would have paid him over $9 million per year to join them.”

This runs contrary to previous reports that suggested the Jets pulled their offer to Hightower after giving the linebacker a physical (more on that here).

Either way, it sure looks like the former first-round pick wanted to remain with his original team. If he did turn down the opportunity to earn $12-plus million in Jersey, good for him.

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