Anquan Boldin News: Retirement threat, Ravens want extension?
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin now has a Super Bowl ring, but instead of getting a reward for his play as Joe Flacco‘s top target in the regular season and playoffs he will likely get his release. And if that happens, Flacco is going to be worse off despite getting an extension.
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Boldin is set to make $6 million, but none of that money is guaranteed which makes him an easy release candidate with the Ravens over the cap. The 32-year-old Florida State alumn caught 65 passes for 921 yards and four touchdowns this past season, but the mis-match-making possession receiver is a possible Ravens cap casualty. Baltimore is over the salary cap, and they have to get a deal done with impending free agent quarterback Joe Flacco. He will most certainly get his, and his agent is pressing hard for a record-deal. The Ravens were prepared to give him a “top five” contract last offseason, and he has now upped that case by leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory.
But Boldin was extremely instrumental in the Ravens Super Bowl run and in Flacco’s success, and the Ravens organization realizes this. The Baltimore Sun reported that the Ravens would rather reduce Boldin’s cap number next season by extending the wideout, and that is a much wiser move (not that we expect any less from the legendary Ozzie Newsome). If Newsome can find a way to satisfy Flacco and keep Boldin, then his reputation as an elite GM will only grow even more.
Anquan Boldin sounds like a Raven through-and-through, and he told NBC’s Eric Kuselias that he will retire if the Ravens release him. He wants the Ravens to be the last team he played for, and that’s an incredibly noble thing for him to say. Hopefully, that earns him even more favor with the Ravens organization, because Boldin still has plenty of football left in him.
According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Ravens have not reached out to Boldin yet.
New England Patriots fans have speculated that Anquan Boldin could be a possible target for the Patriots this offseason due to his size. The Pats could use a receiver with Boldin’s height, and Boldin would lessen the blow of losing Wes Welker if the Patriots can’t keep him. I would personally rather keep Welker and get a deep threat or draft some WRs, but signing Boldin would also be a solid move for the Patriots. However, that probably won’t happen given the circumstances and Boldin’s strong retirement statement. I doubt he would be willing to sign with a “rival” given how much he loves the Ravens.
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