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Go ahead and add Anquan Boldin's name to the fast-growing list of players (a list headed by Bengals wideout Chad Johnson and Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey) hoping to escape their current circumstances.

In Boldin's case, teams have inquired about trading for him -- and his agent has asked if the team would be willing to part with him.

At this point, team officials are taking the same stance as Cincinnati has with its disgruntled Pro Bowl receiver, Johnson -- who happens to have the same agent, Drew Rosenhaus as Boldin (and Shockey).

"We're not interested in trading Anquan," general manager Rod Graves said on Tuesday. "That's the short of it."

As Arizona Republic staffer Kent Somers reminded readers on Wednesday morning, rumors involving Boldin started last month, the day the team re-signed receiver Larry Fitzgerald to a four-year, $40 million contract. That prompted speculation that the Cardinals couldn't afford to keep both elite receivers and that they might be willing to deal Boldin, who has three years left on his contract.

"Obviously, because of those rumors, a few teams have called to inquire," Graves said, "and my response has been consistent with everyone: We're not interested in trading him."

But of course, we've moved beyond the rumor stage.

As NFL Network insider Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night, Boldin recently met with head coach Ken Whisenhunt and informed him that he would like to be traded. Rosenhaus followed up with a more formal request.

The Cardinals told Boldin they were unwilling to trade him, but would consider exploring the possibility of a new contract with him.

Boldin is scheduled to make $2.5 million this season, $2.75 million next season and $3 million in 2010 -- considerably less than Fitzgerald's haul.

And it comes as no surprise that Boldin wants a new contract in the neighborhood of Fitzgerald's.

In fact, Somers advised readers this morning the roots of the trade talk extend to last summer, when Boldin and Rosenhaus met with Graves and Whisenhunt to discuss a new deal. Rosenhaus, according to the Cardinals, made a proposal, and the Cardinals countered with one in late November or early December.

That offer, Graves said, would have put Boldin among the five highest-paid receivers within three years.

"Drew did not respond to that proposal," Graves said. "The proposal sat with him over a month. I called to ask him if he was going to respond, and he said he was going to wait until Larry Fitzgerald (contract) was done."

While it's easy for Graves to dismiss trade rumors out of hand, recent actions lend at least some credence to his public stance.

Indeed, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the Cardinals have declined a trade offer from the Redskins for Boldin (the Redskins also unsuccessfully sought to trade for Johnson).

The Philadelphia Eagles also have inquired about Boldin and are dangling Lito Sheppard as part of a deal. The Cowboys have been mentioned as another possible suitor.

Still, the Cards are saying no. ... For now.

Graves told reporters on Tuesday that he views Boldin as one of the franchise's building blocks, a core player.

But with three NFC East rivals all desperately looking to add a high-end wideout a bidding war isn't out of the question.

And if that's the case, it's not a reach to believe the Cardinals' approach to a trade will evolve. At the very least, it's safe to assume Graves will listen to their offers.

What does that mean to us?

Well, between Boldin, Johnson and Shockey (and the Giants are definitely willing to entertain offers), there will be no shortage of intrigue and discussion to keep things interesting between picks this weekend.