Dont'a Hightower

New England Patriots, Inside Linebacker
Age: 34-257d (Mar 12, 1990)
Exp: 10 Years
College: Alabama
Drafted: Round 1 (#25 overall), 2012
Agent(s): Pat Dye Jr. (SportsTrust Advisors)
RETIRED

2017-2021 Extension

Dont'a Hightower signed a 4 year , $35,500,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including $10,000,000 signing bonus, $19,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,875,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $35,500,000
Average Salary:
$8,875,000
Signing Bonus:
$10,000,000
GTD at Sign:
$17,000,000
Total GTD:
$19,000,000
Free Agent:
2022 / UFA
MANAGE CONTRACT
Year Age Cap HitAnnual Cap % League Cap Cash Annual Cash Cumulative Dead Cap Annual
2017 27 $5,335,931 3.20% $12,398,435 $12,398,435 $17,000,000
2018 28 $9,695,305 5.47% $7,195,305 $19,593,740 $13,250,000
2019 29 $11,445,305 6.08% $8,945,305 $28,539,045 $7,000,000
2020 30 - - $150,000 $28,689,045 -
2021 31 $12,397,059 6.79% $8,622,059 $37,311,104 $10,350,000
2022 32
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Proration Roster Bonus Incentives Likely Cap Hit Cap % League Cap Dead Cap
2017 27 $1,250,000 $2,500,000 $710,931 $875,000 $5,335,931 3.20% $17,000,000
2018 28 $5,750,000 $2,500,000 $820,305 $625,000 $9,695,305 5.47% $13,250,000
2019 29 $7,000,000 $2,500,000 $820,305 $1,125,000 $11,445,305 6.08% $7,000,000
2020 30 - - - - - - -
2021 31 $7,850,000 $2,500,000 $772,059 $1,275,000 $12,397,059 6.79% $10,350,000
2022 32
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Cash Total Cash Cumulative AYC Cumulative AYC Remaining
2017 27 $1,250,000 $10,000,000 $273,435 $12,398,435 $12,398,435 $12,398,435 $7,462,221
2018 28 $5,750,000 - $820,305 $7,195,305 $19,593,740 $9,796,870 $6,228,167
2019 29 $7,000,000 - $820,305 $8,945,305 $28,539,045 $9,513,015 $5,905,788
2020 30 - - - $150,000 $28,689,045 $7,172,261 $4,386,030
2021 31 $7,850,000 - $772,059 $8,622,059 $37,311,104 $7,462,221 $8,622,059
Contract Notes
  • $17M fully guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2017 salary + 2018 salary)
  • $2M of 2019 salary fully guarantees on 3/17/2019
  • Annual Per Game Active Bonus: $51,470 ($875,000)
  • Playing Time Bonus
    65% defensive snaps: $375,000
    70%: $625,000
    75%: $875,000
    80%: $1M
  • Pro Bowl: $500,000 (LTBE in 2017)
  • 1st Team All Pro: $500,000
  • 2020: opted-out, salary tolls to 2021
Source: Boston Globe

2012-2016 Rookie

Dont'a Hightower signed a 4 year , $7,724,002 contract with the New England Patriots, including $4,057,456 signing bonus, $6,280,729 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,931,001.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $7,724,002
Average Salary:
$1,931,001
Signing Bonus:
$4,057,456
GTD at Sign:
$6,280,729
Total GTD:
$6,280,729
Free Agent:
2017 / UFA
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Seasons

10 Years

Career Earnings thru 2024

$52,803,039

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2012 22
Active
$4,447,456
$4,447,456
2013 23
Active
$741,091
$5,188,547
2014 24
Active
$1,092,182
$6,280,729
 Champion
2015 25
Active
$1,443,273
$7,724,002
2016 26
Active / Club Exercised
$7,767,933
$15,491,935
 Champion
2017 27
Injured
$12,398,435
$27,890,370
2018 28
Active
$7,195,305
$35,085,675
 Champion
2019 29
Active
$8,945,305
$44,030,980
2020 30
Reserve
$150,000
$44,180,980
2021 31
Active
$8,622,059
$52,803,039
Total
$52,803,039

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
10 $33,267,546 $14,057,456 $2,686,104 - - $2,791,933 $52,803,039
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Workout Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2012
22
$390,000
$4,057,456
$4,447,456
$4,447,456
2013
23
$741,091
$741,091
$5,188,547
2014
24
$1,092,182
$1,092,182
$6,280,729
2015
25
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$7,724,002
2016
26
$7,751,000
$16,933
$7,767,933
$15,491,935
2017
27
$1,250,000
$10,000,000
$273,435
$875,000
$12,398,435
$27,890,370
2018
28
$5,750,000
$820,305
$625,000
$7,195,305
$35,085,675
2019
29
$7,000,000
$820,305
$1,125,000
$8,945,305
$44,030,980
2020
30
$150,000
$150,000
$44,180,980
2021
31
$7,850,000
$772,059
$8,622,059
$52,803,039
Total
$33,267,546
$14,057,456
$2,686,104
$2,791,933
$52,803,039

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
10 $33,267,546 $14,057,456 $2,686,104 - - $2,791,933 $52,803,039

Injuries

Year Weeks Reason
2017 NE 10 - 17 Pectoral
  • Mar 21, 2023 Retired from Professional Football
  • Jul 28, 2020 Opted out of the 2020 season (COVID-19)
  • Mar 15, 2017 Signed a 4 year $35.5 million contract with New England (NE)
  • Apr 29, 2015 New England (NE) exercised a $7.751 million 5th-year option for 2016
  • Sep 12, 2014 Fined $16,537 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Tannehill (MIA)
  • Jul 18, 2012 Signed a 4 year $7.72 million contract with New England (NE)
  • Apr 26, 2012 Drafted by New England (NE): Round 1 (#25 overall)

Fines

Date Reason Fine Amount
Sep 12, 2014 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Tannehill (MIA) $16,537
Year Team GP GS Snaps Snaps% Sack Tackles Total Tackles Solo Tackles Assisted FFum Int
2021 NE 15 15 634 59.60 2 64 40 24 0 0
2020 NE 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 NE 15 15 738 73.70 6 71 47 24 0 0
2018 NE 15 15 773 74.00 1 48 24 24 0 1
2017 NE 5 5 237 32.60 2 14 12 2 0 0
2016 NE 13 13 708 68.90 3 65 31 34 1 0
2015 NE 12 12 594 54.20 4 61 51 10 0 0
2014 NE 12 12 834 76.90 6 89 51 38 1 0
2013 NE 16 14 857 74.70 1 97 55 42
2012 NE 14 13 568 51.90 4 60 43 17

FEATURED PLAYER NEWS

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A Midseason QB Contract Review

With the midway point of the 2024 NFL season now in the rearview mirror, it’s a good time to reassess where each starting quarterback stands in terms of their stability on the field, but also contractually speaking going forward.

TRANSACTIONS

Mar 21, 2023
Retired from Professional Football
Jul 28, 2020
Opted out of the 2020 season (COVID-19)
Mar 15, 2017
Signed a 4 year $35.5 million contract with New England (NE)
Apr 29, 2015
New England (NE) exercised a $7.751 million 5th-year option for 2016
Sep 12, 2014
Fined $16,537 Roughing the Passer against Ryan Tannehill (MIA)
Jul 18, 2012
Signed a 4 year $7.72 million contract with New England (NE)
Apr 26, 2012
Drafted by New England (NE): Round 1 (#25 overall)

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