Now that Joe Flacco has his future with the Baltimore Ravens set, he is concentrating his efforts and securing the future of other key players. Flacco is voicing his support for Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin and his contract situation. Flacco tells USA Today Sports that he does not believe Boldin should take a pay cut in order to remain in Baltimore.
Boldin is in the midst of contract negotiations with the Baltimore Ravens. The team is requesting he take a pay cut and Boldin is standing firm in his decision not slash his salary.
"At no point, no matter how well I played, would I come back to the table and say, 'I need more money.' The contract that I signed was the contract that I intended to play out," Boldin said.
Boldin is scheduled to earn $6 million in the upcoming season, carrying a $7.531 million salary-cap figure. The Ravens are in need of more cap space and have told the receiver that he either takes a pay cut or he will be cut on Tuesday. Boldin rejected Baltimore's new contract offer. The two sides are currently still negotiating the matter and Boldin is prepared to test free agency if Baltimore opts to release him.
Flacco is speaking out in support of the receiver. He claims Boldin is essential to the Ravens, but he should stick to his beliefs regarding his contract.
"Without him, we don't win the Super Bowl. He's a huge part of this team and someone I want to see back. Obviously, when you're a player of his caliber, you believe you're worth a number and that's what you should get. He's going to stick to his guns, and that's the way it should be," Flacco said.
At 32, Boldin has said he will retire if the Ravens decide to cut him; however he has since changed his stance and will discuss his options with his family while seeing what teams might be interested in him if he is let go.
Boldin led Baltimore in receiving yards since being traded to the team from Arizona three years ago. In 2012, Boldin had 65 receptions for 921 yards and four touchdowns. He had 22 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns during Baltimore's run in the playoffs.
