Report: Top Patriots LB Opts Out Of 2020 Season
The New England Patriots will enter the 2020 NFL season without two key contributors on defense. Losing a veteran player is terrible. Losing two veterans is even worse. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung decided to opt out of the season as confirmed by NFL Network’s Michael Giardi. ESPN was the first to report the big news.
NFL players who opt out of their regular season will get a $150,000 salary advance and their contract will toll.
Hightower became a dad on July 16 and his mother has Type 2 diabetes. Chung’s wife is also pregnant.
“Me and my fiancée are just more concerned with the health of our family than football — especially the new addition to our family,” Hightower told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
The Patriots won’t have Hightower in 2020
Hightower was about to earn a base salary of $8 million in the final year of his contract. Chung is under contract with the Patriots for the next four years. He was about to earn $1.1 million in base salary. Both players will have their contracts in 2021.
These decisions will definitely affect the Patriots defense. Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts left the Patriots in free agency.
Hightower had a big role in the Patriots defense. He has the ability to rush the passer. According to Pro Football Focus, Hightower leads the off-ball linebackers in total pressure over the past three years with 80.
Chung leads the secondary and head coach Bill Belichick relies on him. In 2019, Chung was plagued with injuries and his production reduced. But he was definitely a contributor to the Patriots defense.
New England has had six players opt out of the 2020 season. Running back Brandon Bolden will also not play in the upcoming season, per Giardi. Right tackle Marcus Cannon, fullback Danny Vitale and guard Najee Toran also opted out.
Things are taking an unexpected turn right now. Players will have to adjust to the new winning formula. Coach Belichick sure has a backup plan. He always has. That’s how the Patriots won six Super Bowls. The best has yet to come and we can’t wait to see what happens next.