NFL News: Veteran WR Anquan Boldin Agrees To One-Year Deal With Lions
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions appear to have found a short-term replacement for the recently retired Calvin Johnson. Veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin formerly of the San Francisco 49ers has found a new home in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Boldin will sign a one-year deal with the Lions:
The Detroit Lions plan to sign veteran wide receiver Anquan Boldin to a one-year deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The 35-year-old wideout took to Twitter to make his announcement a few hours after Schefter reported the news. Boldin appears to be looking for to his new opportunity in Detroit and reuniting with Jim Caldwell who coached the veteran during his short stint with the Baltimore Ravens:
This coming season, I am excited to announce that I have chosen to play for the @Lions and reunite with Coach Caldwell for another run.
— Anquan Boldin (@AnquanBoldin) July 26, 2016
Although Boldin isn’t the dominant receiver of old, the 13-year wideout can still be a force on the football field. He leaves the 49ers after catching 237 passes for 3,030 yards and 16 touchdowns in three seasons. Those numbers surpass his totals for the three years he spent in Baltimore.
In 14 games last season, Boldin recorded 69 receptions, 789 receiving yards, and four touchdowns. All of this was done in a nightmare of a season for the 49ers with the exodus continuing following Jim Harbaugh’s departure from the storied NFL franchise.
Boldin stands to play a considerable role in Detroit as he could quickly become a favorite target of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Johnson’s retirement leaves a gaping hole in the passing game. Boldin should help fill the void as the Lions move into a new era.
