Dont'a Hightower is one of six players on the Patriots who have opted out for the 2020 season.
The 30-year-old posted a message to Twitter explaining his reasons why Tuesday afternoon.
"This wasn't an easy decision, or one I made lightly, but I do feel it's the best decision for my family at this time," he wrote.
Hightower and his fiancée just gave birth to a baby boy a few weeks ago.
