Bill Belichick has crossed off the biggest item on his off-season to-to list, as Dont’a Hightower is off the market, re-signing with the Patriots for a reported 4 year, $43.5 million.

There you go. As expected Hightower returns to NE. 4 year/$43.5M deal for Hightower including $19 million guaranteed. https://t.co/6dCnYKxB5c

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) March 15, 2017

He had reportedly visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets. The Jets went so far as to bake him cupcakes, but apparently this wasn’t enough to pry him from the Super Bowl Champs.

Hightower Highlights

Since being drafted by the Patriots in the 25th pick of the 2012 NFL draft, Hightower has been a leader of the Patriots defense.

It was his touchdown-saving tackle that set the stage for Malcolm Butler’s heroic interception in the win over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. It was his strip-sack of Matt Ryan that ignited the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history last month.

Though it’s really not his highlights that make him a special player, but his nose for the football. He’s always in the right place. That’s why he’s here, and Jamie Collins is in Cleveland.

What’s Left to Do

Before the offseason is over, the Patriots will have to resolve the Malcolm Butler situation. Will he stay, or will he go?

What are they going to do at running back. Is Rex Burkhead the full-time starter? Do they bring back LaGarrett Blount? Do they draft a running back?

What will they do with the draft in April? They have no picks in either of the first two rounds.

They’ve already added a boatload of talent in Brandin Cooks, Dwayne Allen, Stephon Gilmore, Lawrence Guy, Burkhead, and resigned Duron Harmon.

According to overthecap.com, the Patriots had a little over $34 million in cap space before re-signing Hightower, and inking Burkhead. This should leave them with about $20 million in cap space to play with, though they will have to save some room for draft picks.