Bill Belichick is trying to rebuild the New England Patriots, but he has a very tough task in front of him. Unfortunately, his defense will suffer a key exit as a three-time Super Bowl champion is not going to be part of the roster for the 2023 season.

Once Tom Brady left in 2020, the Patriots had a very difficult mission: to rebuild and still compete without him. It has not been easy as the Bills, Dolphins and Jets have improved a lot since then.

As the head coach is preparing the 2023 season, he is looking to build the best roster possible to fight once again for a title. However, a key player of his defense has told him he won’t play anymore.

Three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots decides to retire before the 2023 season

Bill Belichick will have to solve a huge problem for the 2023 season. His defense won’t count with a key piece as a three-time Super Bowl champion has decided to retire.

Dont’a Hightower has announced his retirement after nine seasons with the Patriots. He was selected in the 2012 NFL Draft withthe 25th-overall pick and he won three Super Bowls with New England.

“Today, I am officially retiring from the NFL,” the three-time Super Bowl champion wrote on a letter for The Players’ Tribune on Tuesday. “I know these announcements always feel bittersweet, but I can’t think of a better story than the one I wrote in New England. A decade, three Super Bowls, two Pro Bowls, and the birth of my son — all playing for one franchise. How many guys have a story like that?

“So this is a happy day for me, and I just wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate you embracing a Southern kid from Lewisburg, Tennessee.”