Anquan Boldin’s desire to make every penny of the $6 million he was scheduled to make in 2013 contributed to his departure from Baltimore in Monday’s trade to the 49ers.
Boldin no longer has to worry about taking a pay cut. He’ll be making the full $6 million with the 49ers, which isn’t particularly surprising given the events that led to his acquisition. The Niners weren’t likely to surrender a sixth-round pick for the right to ask Boldin to take the same pay cut that he refused to take from the team he just helped win the Super Bowl.
The trade won’t be official until Boldin returns from a trip to Africa and takes a physical with the 49ers. Assuming it does go through, the 49ers will likely have already completed the deal sending quarterback Alex Smith to Kansas City, leaving them room to move Boldin’s contract under their cap.
The Ravens will have to wait for the deal to become official to get use of the cap space generated by Boldin’s departure, but shouldn’t be hampered to much in other negotiations -- especially if they are with returning players like linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and safety Ed Reed -- since they know it will be coming soon enough.