National Football League

Patriots end Dont'a Hightower's free-agent tour, re-sign him to a 4-year deal

Published Mar. 15, 2017 1:55 p.m. ET

Dan Graf

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower put on a good show with a free-agent tour that included visits with the Jets and Steelers, but he did the expected Wednesday and agreed to return to the New England Patriots.

https://twitter.com/_SportsTrust/status/842065920524734465

Hightower, 27, will sign a four-year deal worth $43.5 million, $19 million of which is guaranteed.

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/842066920182558729

Ever since he hit the open market last week, it was expected that Hightower would eventually end up back with the team that made him the 25th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Since that time, he’s won two Super Bowls with the Patriots and was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2016. Hightower had 2.5 sacks in 2016 and was a key to New England’s top-ranked scoring defense both in coverage and against the run.

The Jets offered cupcakes and probably a comparable amount of cash, but it’s hard to turn down Bill Belichick when he wants you around for another Super Bowl push.