Patrick Chung Drops Out Of 2020 Season.

New England Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung are among the starters opting out of the 2020 season.‬ According to an agreement approved by both the league and the NFL Players Association, players considered high risk for COVID-19 can earn $350,000 and an accrued NFL season if they choose to opt out.

February” by head coach Bill Belichick because of his knack for delivering big plays in Super Bowls, Hightower was set to enter his ninth NFL season — all with the Patriots.

A three-time Super Bowl champion and team captain, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Hightower traditionally calls the defensive signals and was going to be relied upon as much as ever this season after the free-agency departures of linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins.

This was the final year of Hightower’s contract, and he was scheduled to earn a base salary of $8 million.