When Anquan Boldin was traded from the Baltimore Ravens to the San Francisco 49ers shortly following Super Bowl XLVII in 2013, it was the best of both worlds for the receiver.
He had just helped Baltimore defeat San Francisco in the Super Bowl and was joining a perennial championship contender in California.
San Francisco did have success in Boldin’s first season with the team, earning a 12-4 record and dropping a close affair to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game.
That season also represented the first time the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year put up 1,000-plus yards since he was a member of the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. Boldin then followed that up with another 1,000-yard campaign in 2014.
Unfortunately, that very same season saw the 49ers regress at a rapid clip. They won just eight games, a result that led to the “firing” of Jim Harbaugh.
Now considered cellar dwellers following a five-win 2015 season, San Francisco is not in a position to help Boldin attain his ultimate goal of going out on top.
This has led to at least one report suggesting Boldin is looking to catch on with a contender when he hits free agency here shortly:
As free agency approaches I'm told #49ers WR Anquan Boldin wants to play for a team that can compete at the highest level. Important to him.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) March 6, 2016
NFL Media’s Rand Getlin didn’t go as far to indicate that Boldin is looking to move on from San Francisco, but we can all do the math here.
Unless the 35-year-old receiver somehow views the 49ers as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, it makes sense for him to move on.
And while some might point to the addition of head coach Chip Kelly as a positive in terms of the team’s chances of retaining Boldin, it’s important to note that Kelly’s offense may in fact be a deterrent for the three-time Pro Bowler.
With 13 years of NFL experience under his belt, does Boldin really want to be driven into the ground by a fast-paced offense? Does Kelly even view the veteran as a fit in his offense?
Despite some obvious on-field regression this past season, Boldin would be a solid addition for a contending team.
Pure conjecture here, but both the New England Patriots and Cincinnati Bengals could use the consistency that Boldin has brought to the table for a decade-plus.
Both will likely have a need for a possession receiver that can help their quarterback out on third down. This has been one of Boldin’s primary strengths throughout his career. It should also give him some solid options in free agency — options that likely won’t include San Francisco.