In late July, Cardinals G.M. Rod Graves suggested that negotiations on a new deal for receiver Anquan Boldin would occur during the regular season, after the Cardinals have used their salary cap space to address roster needs.
But now the timetable apparently has been once again pushed back.
Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic writes that the Cardinals “probably” will delay talks on a new deal for Boldin until after the 2009 season.
Somers’ prediction comes amid news that safety Adrian Wilson converted $3 million of his base salary into a guaranteed payment, in order to create $2.4 million in cap space. It gives them an estimated $2.6 million to work with.
That’s roughly two percent of the total payroll for the season, and the Cardinals need to hold that money in the event that players land on injured reserve and other players need to be signed to take their place.
Indeed, an extensive rash of serious injuries could ultimately require the Cardinals to carry fewer than 53 players, since they might run out of cap room.
And Boldin might eventually run out of patience. He has wanted a new deal since March 2008, when Larry Fitzgerald finagled a four-year, $40 million contract. At the time, Boldin had three seasons left.
After this year, he’ll have one season remaining -- and 2010 likely will have no salary cap.
So if there’s no explosion this year, count on Mt. Boldin to make like Krakatoa at some point before the next football season begins, unless he gets a new deal or a trade.
