AP

The uncertain future of coach Jim Harbaugh has been the biggest storyline around the 49ers of late, but there may be a happier announcement coming down the pike shortly.

Ed Werder of ESPN reports that an announcement of a new contract for wide receiver Anquan Boldin is expected within the next 24 hours. The two sides have been talking for a couple of weeks and there’s always been optimism that a deal would get done before the start of free agency next week.

Getting the deal done would enable the 49ers to bring back their leading receiver from the 2013 season and team him with Michael Crabtree for an entire season rather than the abbreviated run they had together when Crabtree returned from his Achilles injury last year. They’ll still need to look for more depth at receiver, but eliminating the need for an immediate starter before free agency starts would allow the 49ers to concentrate on other areas.

One of those areas could be an extension for quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose prospects for 2014 would look much better once the 49ers are sure that Boldin will return to the team.