New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower is opting out of the 2020 season, according to league sources.

A number of Hightower's teammates have also decided to opt out including running back Brandon Bolden, offensive tackle Marcus Cannon, fullback Danny Vitale and reserve offensive lineman Najee Toran.

Hightower, 30, became a first-time father on July 16. He was set to enter his ninth season with the Patriots.

This was the final year of Hightower's contract, and he was scheduled to earn a base salary of $8 million. The contract will now toll to the 2021 season.

After playing nine seasons with the New England Patriots, Rob Gronkowski was ready for a change.

It was a change of scenery and fresh start that led to the tight end coming out of retirement to join Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cam Newton is motivated to prove doubters wrong and is aware of the pressure that will likely be placed on him in New England.

Newton referred to replacing Tom Brady as "the elephant in the room."

"You know who [you're] coming after? I'm like, yeah, great. What he was, what he is, is great, needs no even talking about it," Newton said. "But one thing about it though: Coach [Josh] McDaniels, you're able to call some stuff that you ain't ever been able to call now.

"You're getting a dog. You're getting one of these ticked off dogs, too. And I'm looking at the schedule and I'm like 'Who we're playing? That team passed on me! OK, that team passed on me. They could've came and got me.'"

Julian Edelman and DeSean Jackson are making plans to meet and "educate one another."

After Jackson posted anti-Semitic content on social media earlier this week, Edelman posted a video in response that suggested they visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture together.

Edelman was back on social media Friday morning to say that he and Jackson have connected and are making plans for next steps.

“DeSean and I spoke for awhile last night. We’re making plans to use our experiences to educate one another and grow together. Stay tuned,” Edelman wrote.

Julian Edelman has invited DeSean Jackson to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.

Edelman is Jewish.

"I have seen DeSean play in his career, make outstanding football plays, we've communicated over social media. I've got nothing but respect for his game. I know he said some ugly things, but I do see an opportunity to have a conversation," Edelman said in an Instagram video posted Thursday morning.

"I am proud of my Jewish heritage, and for me, it is not just about religion. It's about community and culture as well," he added. "I am unusual because I didn't identify as Jewish until later in my life. Whenever I encountered hatred, it never really felt like it was aimed at me. It was only after I was part of this community that I learned how destructive hate is. Anti-Semitism is one of the oldest forms of hatred. It's rooted in ignorance and fear."

Edelman said he would welcome a trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture to learn more from Jackson.

"I don't want to distract from how important the Black Lives Matter movement is, and how we need to stay behind it. I think the Black and Jewish communities have a lot of similarities," Edelman said in the video.

"One unfortunate similarity is that they are both attacked by the ignorant and the hateful. It's really hard to see the challenges a community can face when you're not part of it. So what we need to do is, we need to listen. We need to learn. We need to act. We need to have these uncomfortable conversations if we're going to have real change."

The New England Patriots are offering free parking for home games during the 2020 season.

"In order to show our appreciation for your commitment to the Patriots during this unique season -- and in acknowledgment that it will be different than any other season we have ever experienced together -- we want to share that we will provide free parking in all Gillette Stadium lots this year," the team said in a statement to season-ticket holders.

"From both a safety and convenience standpoint, we hope this will simplify one aspect of your game-day experience in 2020 and serve to express our gratitude for your support."

Cam Newton explained that his modest one-year contract with the New England Patriots "is not about money for me, it's about respect."

Newton has only $550,000 in guaranteed money with a base salary of $1.05 million. Newton can earn an additional $6.45 million in incentives and per-game roster bonuses.

The Patriots can also apply the franchise tag on Newton in 2021.

Richard Sherman was one of many to criticize how Newton deserved a more lucrative contract based on his talent. 

Odell Beckham, Jr. worked out with Cam Newton this offseason, but that doesn't mean the wide receiver will be headed to the New England Patriots in a trade soon.

After comedian Bob Menery tweeted "@obj to New England? Hmmmm. Welcome to New England Cam! #doyourjob." Beckham responded, "Lol no sir boss! But y'all got my brother, wishin nothin but the best and LUV."

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood tweeted, "@obj to the Patriots before the season is done. BANK IT!" The wideout quote-tweeted: "U can find me in The LAND homie! We got unfinished business."

The Cleveland Browns say Beckham is 100% healthy and ready to rebound from a disappointing 2019 season.

The primary piece of evidence in Robert Kraft's solicitation of prostitution case is at stake.

Florida prosecutors are trying to salvage the evidence after a circuit court judge ruled last year that Jupiter, Florida, police improperly received and executed search warrants.

Without that evidence, legal experts have said the misdemeanor case against Kraft and 24 other defendants could fall apart.

The key question is whether police "minimized" surveillance as required under the law. Kraft's attorneys convinced Judge Leonard Hanser last year that police violated the defendants' rights by running video indiscriminately for the entire three days of their investigation, failing to stop recording when it was clear that some parties were not receiving illegal services.