New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower, a three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Pro Bowler, has announced his retirement.

The 49ers were in quarterback hell last season when Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo went down, so San Fran reportedly contacted Ben Roethlisberger to come out of retirement.

Dont'a Hightower did not play in the NFL last season, but he never officially closed the door on his playing career. That changed on Tuesday, when the 33-year-old announced his retirement from the NFL.

Dont'a Hightower was kind of a forgotten man over the last year, but in no way should he ever be forgotten in New England.

Dont’a Hightower, a longtime defensive centerpiece for the Patriots, announced his retirement Tuesday. After becoming a free agent following the 2021 season and remaining unsigned, Hightower put an end to any speculation surrounding his playing future by penning a Player’s Tribune essay,

The Patriots selected Hightower as the 25th overall pick of the 2012 draft. The 33-year-old went on to win three Super Bowl rings in 2014, 2016 and 2018. He earned two Pro Bowl selections too.