Dont'a Hightower
Inside Linebacker
Age: 28 Exp: 7 Years
Drafted: Round 1 (#25 overall), 2012 College: Alabama Agent(s): Pat Dye Jr. (SportsTrust Advisors)
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Current Contract
Dont'a Hightower signed a 4 year, $35,500,000 contract with the New England Patriots, including a $10,000,000 signing bonus, $19,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,875,000. In 2018, Hightower will earn a base salary of $5,750,000 and a roster bonus of $273,435, while carrying a cap hit of $8,523,435 and a dead cap value of $13,250,000.
Contract: 4 yr(s) / $35,500,000 Signing Bonus $10,000,000 Average Salary $8,875,000 Total Guarantees $19,000,000 Guaranteed at Signing $17,000,000 Free Agent: 2021 / UFA Bonus Breakdown Cap Details Cash Details Year Age Base Salary Signing Roster Misc. Cap Hit Dead Cap Yearly Cash 2017 27 $1,250,000 $2,500,000 $710,931 $875,000 $5,335,931 $17,000,000 $12,398,435($12,398,435) Pre-6/1 Release 2017 Dead Cap: $17,000,000 2017 Cap Savings: $-11,664,069 Pre-6/1 Trade 2017 Dead Cap: $10,000,000 2017 Cap Savings: $-4,664,069 Post-6/1 Release 2017 Dead Cap: $9,500,000 2018 Dead Cap: $7,500,000 2017 Cap Savings: $-4,164,069 Post-6/1 Trade 2017 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2018 Dead Cap: $7,500,000 2017 Cap Savings: $2,835,931 2018 28 $5,750,000 $2,500,000 $273,435 - $8,523,435 $13,250,000 $6,023,435($18,421,870) Pre-6/1 Release 2018 Dead Cap: $13,250,000 2018 Cap Savings: $-4,726,565 Pre-6/1 Trade 2018 Dead Cap: $7,500,000 2018 Cap Savings: $1,023,435 Post-6/1 Release 2018 Dead Cap: $8,250,000 2019 Dead Cap: $5,000,000 2018 Cap Savings: $273,435 Post-6/1 Trade 2018 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2019 Dead Cap: $5,000,000 2018 Cap Savings: $6,023,435 Potential Out: 2019, 2 yr, $18,421,870; $5,000,000 dead cap
2019 29 $7,000,000 $2,500,000 $875,000 - $10,375,000 $5,000,000 $7,875,000($26,296,870) Pre-6/1 Release 2019 Dead Cap: $5,000,000 2019 Cap Savings: $5,375,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2019 Dead Cap: $5,000,000 2019 Cap Savings: $5,375,000 Post-6/1 Release 2019 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2019 Cap Savings: $7,875,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2019 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2019 Cap Savings: $7,875,000 2020 30 $8,000,000 $2,500,000 $875,000 - $11,375,000 $2,500,000 $8,875,000($35,171,870) Pre-6/1 Release 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2020 Cap Savings: $8,875,000 Pre-6/1 Trade 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2020 Cap Savings: $8,875,000 Post-6/1 Release 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2021 Dead Cap: $0 2020 Cap Savings: $8,875,000 Post-6/1 Trade 2020 Dead Cap: $2,500,000 2021 Dead Cap: $0 2020 Cap Savings: $8,875,000 2021 31 UFA Contract Notes:- $17M fully guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2017 salary + 2018 salary)
- $2M of 2019 salary fully guarantees on the 5th league day of 2019
- Annual Per Game Active Bonus: $54,687 ($875,000, 5 LTBE in 2018)
- Annual 80% defensive snaps bonus: $1M
- Pro Bowl: $500,000 (LTBE in 2017)
- 1st Team All Pro: $500,000
Contract Source: Boston Globe
Previous Contracts
2012-2016Entry Level
Contract: 4 yr(s) / $7,724,002 Signing Bonus $4,057,456 Average Salary $1,931,001 Guaranteed $6,280,729 Free Agent: 2017 / UFA Year Age Base Salary Signing Bonus Workout Bonus Cap Hit Dead Yearly Cash 2012 22 $390,000 $1,014,364 - $1,404,364 $6,280,729 $4,447,456($35,171,870) 2013 23 $741,091 $1,014,364 - $1,755,455 $4,876,365 $741,091($35,171,870) 2014 24 $1,092,182 $1,014,364 - $2,106,546 $3,120,910 $1,092,182($35,171,870) 2015 25 $1,443,273 $1,014,364 - $2,457,637 $1,014,364 $1,443,273($35,171,870) 2016 26 $7,751,000 - - $7,751,000 $7,751,000 $7,767,933($35,171,870) 2017 27 UFA - Signing Bonus: $4.05 million
- $6.28 million guaranteed (Signing Bonus + 2012-14 base)
- 2016 5th year option available (exercised, guarantees 3/9/16)
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Estimated Career Earnings
Year Team Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Restructure Bonus Option Bonus Incentive Total Cash 2012 $390,000 $4,057,456 - - - - - $4,447,456 2013 $741,091 - - - - - - $741,091 2014 $1,092,182 - - - - - - $1,092,182 2015 $1,443,273 - - - - - - $1,443,273 2016 $7,751,000 - - - - - $16,933 $7,767,933 2017 $1,250,000 $10,000,000 $273,435 - - - $875,000 $12,398,435 2018 $5,750,000 - $273,435 - - - - $6,023,435 7 seasons $18,417,546 $14,057,456 $546,870 - - - $891,933 $33,913,805 2019 $7,000,000 - $875,000 - - - - $7,875,000 2020 $8,000,000 - $875,000 - - - - $8,875,000 $33,417,546 $14,057,456 $2,296,870 - - - $891,933 $50,663,805 Seasons Team Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Workout Bonus Restructure Bonus Option Bonus Incentive Total Cash -
Fines
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09/12/2014, $16,537
Roughing the Passer against Ryan Tannehill (MIA)
TOTAL: $16,537
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2018 Player Rankings
A visual look at how Dont'a Hightower ranks across the league, conference, division, and team.
Cap Hit ($0) Rank NFL: # New England Patriots: # Inside Linebacker: #
Total Cash ($0) Rank NFL: # Inside Linebacker: #
Average Annual ($0) Rank NFL: # Inside Linebacker: # -
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