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Anquan Boldin is going to have to find a new uniform to wear if he decides to return to the Lions.
(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)
ALLEN PARK -- Anquan Boldin's return to the Detroit Lions grows unlikelier by the day.
The latest sign: The team has given away his number.
Tight end Michael Roberts, selected in the fourth round of the draft, tweeted Friday that he has been awarded No. 80. That's the same number we wore in college -- and also the one worn by Boldin after joining Detroit last year.
Boldin signed with the team on the eve of training camp, and was plugged in as the starting slot receiver on Day 1. He had an instant chemistry with Matthew Stafford as well, and went on to play a vital role in the offense.
Although he gained just 584 yards on the season -- a low in his 14-year career -- eight of his 67 catches scored touchdowns. That was double more than any other wideout on the team. And another 20 of his catches moved the chains on third down, which was not only a team high but eighth most in the league.
He also caught a game-winning touchdown pass against Washington.
Aside from a couple mental miscues in a forgettable playoff loss against Seattle, Boldin's season in Detroit was a major success, especially when considering how late into the offseason he signed.
But Boldin's future remains unclear. After mulling retirement, the 36-year-old has told the Lions he intends to play again next season. But the sides have not had contact in more than a month, and now Detroit appears to be preparing for his exit.
That includes drafting receiver Kenny Golladay in the third round, plus adding Darren Fells and Roberts to a tight end mix that already includes Eric Ebron, the latter of whom fills almost the same role in the offense as Boldin anyway. And now they're giving away Boldin's number to a rookie tight end, the surest sign yet Detroit anticipates he'll play elsewhere in 2017.
"I'm definitely interested (in returning to Detroit)," Boldin said in February. "But for me, it's seeing what opportunities lie there, going over them with my wife, because any decision I make does not just affect me. But it affects my wife, my two boys. So it's something I have to take into consideration."