NFL Rumors: Anquan Boldin Likely To Sign With New Orleans Saints
Anquan Boldin has been very patient with NFL free agency this offseason and there haven’t been a ton of rumors flying around about him. He has stayed quiet and has waited for the right opportunity to come around. Now, it seems like he might be closing in on a deal with a new team.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL website, the New Orleans Saints are very interested in signing Boldin and the interest is mutual.
On FA WR Anquan Boldin: Source said #Saints are making the strongest push to sign him & he loves ex-#49ers, now NO's, WR coach John Morton
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2016
I've been telling this man since March!! https://t.co/wX1fMeaG1g
— Mark Ingram II (@markingramII) July 14, 2016
Last season with the San Francisco 49ers, Boldin put together yet another solid all-around season. He caught 69 passes for 789 yards and four touchdowns. Those numbers prove that Boldin still has a lot of football left in him and playing with a quarterback like Drew Brees could put him in a position to put up even bigger numbers.
At 35 years old, there is no question that Boldin would be a big pickup for the Saints. They haven’t been a contender for quite a few years now and likely still wouldn’t be even with Boldin. That being said, bringing in as much help as possible at least shows that they are trying to get back on track.
If Boldin were to sign with the Saints, he would be joining a very talented wide receiver corps. Brandin Cooks is obviously the No. 1 target for Brees, while former Ball State star Willie Snead broke onto the scene last season and is a major playmaking threat. Couple those two players along with rookies Michael Thomas and Jordan Williams and Brees has to be very happy.
New Orleans is in a very competitive division looking ahead into the future. The Carolina Panthers are by far the best team in the division right now and should be a powerhouse in the NFC for years to come. Atlanta has a lot of pieces that make them a threat each and every season, while Tampa Bay has made major moves in recent years and has rebuilt to being a pesky team to go up against with major potential.
Boldin wouldn’t just come in to put up numbers for himself; he could also help mentor the young receivers that the Saints have.
Cooks, Snead, Williams, and Thomas all need as much help as they can get. No team can ever have enough veterans in the locker room.
There are likely other teams interested in signing Boldin too, although it sounds like the Saints are by far the frontrunners. He has connections with the coaching staff and there is no denying that New Orleans is a great place to play football with the diehard fan base that they have. New Orleans should get a deal done quickly if they really want to bring him on board, but it doesn’t sound like he is serious about any other offers at this time.
Expect to hear more news in the next few days about Boldin and the Saints. It is very likely going to be a one- or two-year deal. Don’t be surprised to see the two sides come to an agreement in the near future and for Boldin to give the Saints a much-needed offensive weapon.
Do you think that the New Orleans Saints are the right fit for Anquan Boldin? What do you think he brings to the table for the Saints? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
[Photo by Ben Margot/AP Images]
