Anquan Boldin signs one-year deal with Bills

0
259

Following the 2016 season with the Detroit Lions, veteran free agent wide receiver Anquan Boldin was contemplating retirement from the NFL, despite being torn about whether or not he wanted to continue playing.

After announcing he would return for a 15th season in the league, Boldin could not find a job anywhere until now. He has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Boldin reportedly had an offer from the Bills last week that he turned down, before giving it second thoughts, ultimately taking an incentive-laden deal.

January 7, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Anquan Boldin (80) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Boldin, who turns 37 in October, turned in a very nice season with the Lions in 2016. He recorded 584 receiving yards, which was fourth on the team but was a consistent threat in the red zone for quarterback Matthew Stafford. His eight touchdowns paced the team and that option will be greatly missed on offense for Detroit.

Boldin has put together a very remarkable career, logging over 200 games played through his first 14 seasons. The Bills will be his fifth team since being drafted in the second round (No. 54 overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2003 NFL Draft. At 6-1 and 220 pounds, Boldin has always been regarded as one of the tougher receivers in the sport that plays bigger than his actual measurements.

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said his leadership and experience was vital to Detroit’s success last season, on the field and in the locker room. Some went even as far as saying that he was a “steal” signing for the Lions. His departure means players like Eric Ebron and Marvin Jones Jr. will have to step up in scoring opportunities inside the red zone in 2017.

Boldin will be joining a receiving corps in Buffalo that reeled in just 17 receiving touchdowns last season, sixth-lowest in the NFL. He will be reunited with a former teammate in quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who he played with in Baltimore for two seasons (2011-12).