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Feb. 28, 2017 / 4:12 PM

New England Patriots Super Bowl hero Dont'a Hightower will be a free agent

New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (C) forces a fumble by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5. Hightower will become a free agent March 9. Kevin Dietsch/UPI

New England Patriots middle linebacker Dont'a Hightower (C) forces a fumble by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium in Houston on Feb. 5. Hightower will become a free agent March 9. Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

The New England Patriots reportedly passed on using the franchise tag on Dont'a Hightower, making the linebacker a free agent on March 9.

The Super Bowl hero could still return to the Patriots but ESPN reported that Hightower is intent on testing the free-agent market.

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Hightower earned $7.751 in 2016 during his fifth NFL season. The franchise tag is expected to be worth approximately $14.7 million.

The Patriots can negotiate with Hightower until March 7.

Hightower's fourth-quarter strip sack of Atlanta Falcons quarterback in Super Bowl LI was one of the biggest plays as the Patriots rallied from a 25-point comeback to win the contest.

Hightower, who turns 27 on March 12, had 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. He has 404 tackles and 17 sacks in his career.

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