The San Francisco 49ers are hopeful they can get quarterback Colin Kaepernick signed to a contract extension before he becomes too expensive, but first the team must concern themselves with other free agents, mainly Anquan Boldin. The wide receiver is the team's top priority in the upcoming offseason.
While speaking at the NFL scouting combine, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh made note that Boldin was the team's top priority before free agency begins in March. The wide receiver came to San Francisco in a trade from the Baltimore Ravens after the two sides could not agree to a contract extension. He ended up becoming Kaepernick's top target thanks to an injury to Michael Crabtree. Boldin put up 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 catches.
"We're thinking about it a lot," Harbough said, via CBSSports.com. "There's a lot to be excited about, a lot to be done at that position and Anquan is No. 1. There's angst and there's work to be done. "The direction is very positive. It's not just me who wants Anquan Boldin back. I feel there's a process. It could be days, weeks, but there's a process. It's going in a positive direction from the standpoint of the San Francisco 49ers."
NFL sources say the two sides are negotiating a contract extension. Boldin is seeking a multi-year deal that could be in the range of three years and $18 million if the negotiations go well. Boldin is 33-years-old so the 49ers are hesitant with how much money to invest considering they have other needs this offseason.
Financially, San Francisco has about $5.5 million in salary cap space to work with. They could do some clearing of players in order to get other deals done. Wide receiver Jon Baldwin has already agreed to drop his salary to help the salary cap. His base salary went from $1.4 million to $645,000 with about $755,000 after incentives. That helps the effort to retain Boldin. Last season the wide receiver said if he was forced to take a pay cut, he would just retire. The 49ers would like to avoid that option.
If Boldin does leave, the NFL Network predicts the 49ers will target a wide receiver in the upcoming draft. Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins are the best available but San Francisco would have to trade up in order to get them.