Dont’a Hightower did not stay in New England for the money.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the linebacker was offered more money by both the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, but turned them both down to stay with the Patriots.
Hightower received a base salary in the neighborhood of $8.7 million from New England. The Steelers had been offering over $9 million per year, while the Jets were the highest at $11 million, not including incentives.
La Canfora notes that both the Steelers and Jets correctly felt they were being used by Hightower, who never wanted to leave the Patriots.
The Patriots reportedly did have to raise their offer to keep Hightower in the fold. They still didn’t have to raise it higher than the two teams trying to rival them for his services.
