Dont'a Hightower Leaves Steelers HQ Without Contract
BOSTON (CBS) -- Free-agent linebacker Dont'a Hightower braved the Northeast snowstorm to make a visit to the Steelers on Tuesday.
While the particulars of that visit are not yet known, it is known that Hightower left the Steelers facility without having signed a contract.
Dont'a Hightower has left the building.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) March 14, 2017
Hightower, 27, had previously visited the Titans and Jets -- two teams with more salary cap space than the Steelers. Still, neither the Jets nor Titans offered Hightower a contract that blew him away ad forced him to sign immediately, and it would appear as though the Steelers' offer was along the same lines.
According to Ray Fittipaldo, several Steelers executives left the facility during Hightower's visit.
"Many of their front office personnel trickled out of the building Tuesday when Hightower was still on his visit to catch a place to Madison, Wis., where they'll attend Wisconsin's pro day Wednesday," Fittipaldo said.
The Steelers reportedly gave Hightower an ultimatum following their meeting.
#Steelers don't want Dont'a Hightower using them. He's left HQ, but he's been told if he gets on plane w/out signing, that offer is gone.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 14, 2017
Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Steelers were getting "positive vibes" from the Hightower visit.
Wow. Some positive vibes out of #Steelers HQ right now re LB Dont'a Hightower's visit. Of course... they also felt confident abt those CBs.
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 14, 2017
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night that Hightower still has several free agent options.
Dont'a Hightower's Pittsburgh visit has concluded and he remains in talks with Steelers, Jets and Patriots.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2017
Teams reportedly have believed that Hightower will end up re-singing with the Patriots.