The Detroit Lions have a void to fill at wide receiver with the surprise retirement of Calvin Johnson. Perhaps free agent Anquan Boldin is the short-term answer.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Boldin is visiting with the Lions on Monday.
Former Ravens' WR Anquan Boldin, who worked with Lions' HC Jim Caldwell in Baltimore, is visiting Detroit today, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 13, 2016
The veteran receiver has spent the past three seasons playing with the San Francisco 49ers. He arrived in 2013 and tallied two straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons before falling victim to last year’s abysmal quarterback situation in San Francisco.
One of the great possession receivers of the last decade-plus, Boldin still has what it takes to make a big impact on offense.
For his career, he has caught 1,009 passes for 13,195 yards and 74 touchdowns playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and 49ers. Additionally, he has essentially put together a season’s worth of stats in the playoffs throughout his career, catching 68 passes for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns.
Detroit would appear to be a terrific landing spot. With Golden Tate and Marvin Jones slotted in as the two top starters, Boldin would give the Lions a terrific three-receiver offense — one that would feature plenty of toughness and skill.
Boldin had previously visited with the Washington Redskins. He has stated that he wants to join a contender, and Detroit does not necessarily fit into that category. He does not appear interested at all in returning to the 49ers, though, and San Francisco is content to move on without him.