Anquan Boldin signs 2-year contract extension with 49ers

As has become tradition when I visit Las Vegas, we've got 49ers news happening. Anquan Boldin announced on Twitter that he is returning to the 49ers. Details are trickling out, and all report are indicating it looks like he signed a two year deal. Ed Werder is reporting it's two years at $12 million total, with $9 million guaranteed.

Boldin put together a throwback season of sorts last season. He finished the year with 85 receptions, 1,179 yards and seven touchdowns. It was his best overall season since his days with the Arizona Cardinals. He was a key to a passing attack that had to make do without Michael Crabtree the first three months. The passing attack is still coming along, but with Boldin and Crabtree, you've got a dynamic duo that can only help Colin Kaepernick.

A two year deal makes a lot of sense to me. Even if they paid a little extra to bring it down to two years, I like the notion of a couple years. First, it gives the 49ers some time to build up the young receivers around Boldin and Michael Crabtree. Quinton Patton gets at least one more year of learning what it takes to be an NFL receiver, and if the 49ers add a rookie or two, they have great mentors in Boldin and Crabtree.

Ideally Michael Crabtree signs a contract extension and remains a rock of the receiving corps. However, if they cannot get a deal done, Boldin is around through the following season to work with the young receivers. Crabtree and Kaepernick are two of the big contracts to deal with this offseason, as it will set up the framework for the team's entire salary cap approach.

Now the 49ers can approach the draft with a bit more patience at wide receiver. They could use a speed guy, but they can let the draft coming to them. They can pick and choose their spots. A speed guy could improve this offense, but it is by no means an absolute necessity. The 49ers have the picks to pick their poison in this deep rookie pool.