Seeking salary-cap relief, the Baltimore Ravens desperately wanted Anquan Boldin to accept a $2 million reduction in pay for the 2013 season. A man of principle, Boldin stuck to his guns about playing under the contract he originally signed.
With both sides at a standstill, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome came up with a solution that could strengthen a fierce competitor while leaving his team worse off in the long run. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Monday, citing a Ravens source, that Boldin will be traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2013 sixth-round draft pick. A 49ers source told Breer that the deal is done.
The Baltimore Sun first reported the trade. Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the trade will not be official until Boldin -- currently on an African mission -- passes a physical.
Breer also reported that there will be no alteration to Boldin's salary in 2013 -- he still is set to make $6 million this season. A 49ers source told Breer that the sides might consider something later.
The 49ers weren't the only team interested in Boldin, Rapoport reported Monday. According to a Ravens source, Baltimore also discussed a Boldin trade with the Minnesota Vikings. But the Vikings didn't offer as much as the Niners, according to Rapoport.
Anquan Boldin through the yearsTake a look at the best photos of Anquan Boldin.
Three years ago, Newsome netted Boldin and a fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick. Playoff hero or no, Newsome did well to collect a draft pick for a player about to enter the declining phase of his career. Boldin wasn't going to see his $6 million salary, in which case the Ravens would have simply released him on Tuesday.
From the Niners' point of view, Boldin fills a major need for a reliable receiver opposite Michael Crabtree while casting doubt on Mario Manningham's future in San Francisco. It also suggests the 49ers envision another red-shirt year for 2012 first-rounderA.J. Jenkins, who barely saw the field as a rookie.
The trade from one Harbaugh brother to another speaks volumes about the respect Boldin carried in Baltimore. Now he returns to his familiar stomping grounds in the NFC West.
With both sides at a standstill, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome came up with a solution that could strengthen a fierce competitor while leaving his team worse off in the long run. NFL.com's Albert Breer reported Monday, citing a Ravens source, that Boldin will be traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2013 sixth-round draft pick. A 49ers source told Breer that the deal is done.
The Baltimore Sun first reported the trade. Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the trade will not be official until Boldin -- currently on an African mission -- passes a physical.
Breer also reported that there will be no alteration to Boldin's salary in 2013 -- he still is set to make $6 million this season. A 49ers source told Breer that the sides might consider something later.
The 49ers weren't the only team interested in Boldin, Rapoport reported Monday. According to a Ravens source, Baltimore also discussed a Boldin trade with the Minnesota Vikings. But the Vikings didn't offer as much as the Niners, according to Rapoport.
Anquan Boldin through the yearsTake a look at the best photos of Anquan Boldin.
Three years ago, Newsome netted Boldin and a fifth-round pick from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a third- and fourth-round pick. Playoff hero or no, Newsome did well to collect a draft pick for a player about to enter the declining phase of his career. Boldin wasn't going to see his $6 million salary, in which case the Ravens would have simply released him on Tuesday.
From the Niners' point of view, Boldin fills a major need for a reliable receiver opposite Michael Crabtree while casting doubt on Mario Manningham's future in San Francisco. It also suggests the 49ers envision another red-shirt year for 2012 first-rounderA.J. Jenkins, who barely saw the field as a rookie.
The trade from one Harbaugh brother to another speaks volumes about the respect Boldin carried in Baltimore. Now he returns to his familiar stomping grounds in the NFC West.