Report: Anquan Boldin will test free agency after rejecting Ravens' pay cut

Anquan Boldin will test the free-agent market if the Ravens release him. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin has rejected the team's request to cut his salary and is preparing to test the free-agent market, USA Today's Jarrett Bell reported on Saturday.

Boldin had previously said that he would rather retire than play for another team if the Ravens released him, but now it appears that he has changed his tune. Boldin has one year remaining on a four-year, $25 million contract. He is due to make $6 million next season. His cap number is about $7.5 million, a number the Ravens want to cut to be able to sign free agent linebacker Dannell Ellerbe and look at other moves.

At 32, Boldin could have a few suitors in free agency. He played a key role in the Ravens' road to a Super Bowl XLVII victory over the San Francisco 49ers. In four games this postseason, Boldin had 22 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns. He caught two touchdown passes in the Ravens' AFC Championship win over the New England Patriots in Foxboro and added a touchdown in the Ravens' 34-31 Super Bowl win.

When the Ravens locked up quarterback Joe Flacco to a record-setting contract this week, he said he hoped that the Ravens would be able to retain Boldin.

"He's a big part of this offense," Flacco said. "He's a big reason why I'm standing here talking to you guys."