Dont'a Hightower

New England Patriots, Inside Linebacker
Age: 35y-11m-30d (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 -
2020 30 - - $150,000 $28,839,045 -
2021 31 $12,397,059 6.79% $8,622,059 $37,461,104 $10,350,000
2022 33
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Proration Roster Bonus Incentives Likely Cap Hit Cap % League 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 - - - - - - -
2020 30 - - - - - - -
2021 31 $7,850,000 $2,500,000 $772,059 $1,275,000 $12,397,059 6.79% $10,350,000
2022 33
UFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Signing Bonus Roster Bonus Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining
2017 27 $1,250,000 $10,000,000 $273,435 $12,398,435 $12,398,435 $37,311,104
2018 28 $5,750,000 - $820,305 $7,195,305 $19,593,740 $24,912,669
2019 29 $7,000,000 - $820,305 $8,945,305 $28,539,045 $17,717,364
2020 30 - - - $150,000 $28,689,045 $8,772,059
2020 30 - - - $150,000 $28,839,045 $8,772,059
2021 31 $7,850,000 - $772,059 $8,622,059 $37,461,104 $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

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 2026

$56,931,767

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
Active
$1,092,182
$1,092,182
$6,280,729
$7,372,911
 Champion
2015 25
Active
Active
Active
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$8,816,184
$10,259,457
$11,702,730
2016 26
Active / Club Exercised
$7,767,933
$19,470,663
 Champion
2017 27
Injured
$12,398,435
$31,869,098
2018 28
Active
$7,195,305
$39,064,403
 Champion
2019 29
Active
$8,945,305
$48,009,708
2020 30
Reserve
Reserve
$150,000
$150,000
$48,159,708
$48,309,708
2021 31
Active
$8,622,059
$56,931,767
Total
$56,931,767

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
10 $37,246,274 $14,057,456 $2,686,104 - - $2,941,933 $56,931,767
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
$1,092,182
$1,092,182
$6,280,729
$7,372,911
2015
25
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$1,443,273
$8,816,184
$10,259,457
$11,702,730
2016
26
$7,751,000
$16,933
$7,767,933
$19,470,663
2017
27
$1,250,000
$10,000,000
$273,435
$875,000
$12,398,435
$31,869,098
2018
28
$5,750,000
$820,305
$625,000
$7,195,305
$39,064,403
2019
29
$7,000,000
$820,305
$1,125,000
$8,945,305
$48,009,708
2020
30
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
$150,000
$48,159,708
$48,309,708
2021
31
$7,850,000
$772,059
$8,622,059
$56,931,767
Total
$37,246,274
$14,057,456
$2,686,104
$2,941,933
$56,931,767

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
10 $37,246,274 $14,057,456 $2,686,104 - - $2,941,933 $56,931,767

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
Fines: 1 $16,537
Year Team GP GS Snaps Snaps% Sack Tackles Total Tackles Solo Tackles Assisted FFum Int
2021 NE 15 15 634 57.53 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 22.30 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
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