Anquan Boldin expected to fight Ravens on pay cut

Boldin isn't interested in playing for less money in 2013. What will happen with him in Baltimore?

By Alex Welch Mar 11, 2013, 10:10am EDT

After catching 22 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs last season, Anquan Boldin is now being asked to take a pay cut by Baltimore. The Ravens want Boldin to drop his salary of $6 million in 2013, but the veteran wide receiver is standing firm about not playing for less money, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King.

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Baltimore is reportedly asking Boldin to take $2 million off his contract for next season. As King notes, that logic is flawed based on his production in the postseason:

Ravens officials and players will be on hand to watch highlights of the season and mostly of the playoffs, and if they see what I saw, they'll say, What a dominant postseason Boldin had. How can we make a guy who played as well as he did take a cut?

King isn't the only one rallying to Boldin's cause. Quarterback Joe Flacco agrees Boldin should be paid the amount he's owed right now. "Without him, we don't win the Super Bowl. He's a huge part of this team and someone I want to see back," Flacco said in an interview with USA Today. If the Super Bowl MVP and the league's highest-paid player wants to see one of his primary targets stay, the Ravens should probably take this into consideration.

Boldin finished with 65 receptions for 921 yards and four touchdowns in the 2012 regular season. He will turn 33 in October, but he proved how valuable he still is during the Ravens Super Bowl run.

Recent reports indicate Boldin will be released Tuesday if he doesn't accept a pay cut. Cap space is tight in Baltimore, and several top-tier players already appear to be on their way out. Will the Ravens heed the Flacco's advice? We will find out soon as free agency approaches.