With the 2016 campaign in the books, the New Orleans Saints' focus will soon shift to the business side of football.
The Saints have looming decisions to consider on pending free agents ahead of the league's new calendar year on March 9.
And one of the players among the group likely to draw discussion in the front office is running back Tim Hightower, who signed a one-year deal with a $760,000 base salary in April 2016.
While it would make sense for the sixth-year pro to stay put, Hightower preferred to absorb the past year before concentrating on whether a return to the Saints is in future plans.