Nick Bosa

Nick Bosa Likely To Stage Hold-In If Unsigned By Training Camp

July 11th, 2023 at 7:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

A Nick Bosa extension has been on the 49ers’ docket for multiple offseasons. The team has long viewed this year as the likely extension window, seeing as the All-Pro defensive end had the fifth-year option in his rookie contract. But Bosa remains unsigned.

It is not too unusual for a first-rounder to enter his fifth training camp still tied to his rookie contract, though other defensive linemen from Bosa’s draft class locked in lucrative extensions earlier this offseason. If Bosa is unsigned by the time the 49ers begin camp, it should not be expected he will participate. A hold-in effort should be viewed as likely in this instance, Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News notes.

This should not be taken as a sign animosity exists between the 49ers and their top player. Bosa regularly skips OTAs before reporting to minicamp. This year, the fifth-year veteran did not participate in minicamp. That provided a decent indication of Bosa’s plans for a training camp should he remain on his rookie deal.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year looms as the top candidate to top Aaron Donald‘s defender-record AAV. The Rams gave Donald a $31.7MM-per-year contract in June 2022, moving the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle away from a potential retirement. Bosa does not have that kind of leverage, and the 2020 CBA curbed holdouts by mandating steep fines and the threat of stripping players of an accrued year toward free agency. The latter component would not affect Bosa, if he attempted to stage a holdout, as he has already played four seasons to become a UFA. But he would be hit with substantial penalties for skipping workouts.

Deebo Samuel‘s negotiations were messier than Bosa’s. They featured a trade request and hold-in measures at minicamp and training camp. But the 49ers came to terms with the versatile playmaker on July 31, 2022. That brought Samuel back onto the field early in camp. Bosa’s negotiations might be a bit more complicated, with a possible defense-record salary in play. This situation reminds of T.J. Watt‘s two years ago. The Steelers All-Pro did not practice during the team’s training camp, and his hold-in encompassed the preseason slate and ran up to Week 1. Pittsburgh and the star edge rusher agreed on a four-year, $112MM extension on Sept. 9, 2021.

Watt’s contract set the market for edge rushers; Bosa is likely looking to not only surpass that but move beyond Donald’s deal as well. This would be a bit of a bridge, as there is a $3.5MM AAV gap between those numbers. But the salary cap is back on the rise, after a 2021 regression. Money from the 2021 TV deals will lead to bigger cap spikes, and position salary standards will fall. It will be interesting to see if the 49ers attempt to keep Bosa under Donald’s number or if they will sign off on their dynamic D-end setting the market for all defenders.

If the 49ers and Bosa are not on the same page, the team would still have the defensive end franchise tag at its disposal for 2024. But a Bosa re-up has been budgeted for a while now. The former No. 2 overall pick undoubtedly raised his price after last season’s league-leading 18.5-sack showing, but the team now has the Jimmy Garoppolo contract off its cap sheet and should be amenable to a monster Bosa re-up.

49ers GM John Lynch Confident In Nick Bosa Extension; No Deal Imminent

April 1st, 2023 at 6:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

As has been the case on several occasions in recent years, the 49ers have a major extension to attend to this offseason. Nick Bosa remains eligible for a new deal, one which has the chance to be historic for defensive players in its size.

The 2019 second overall pick is set to earn just under $17.9MM in 2023 on the fifth-year option, but that figure will comfortably be eclipsed on his second contract. Coming off a campaign in which he led the league in sacks, the Defensive Player of the Year could become the NFL’s top paid defender with an extension. That should be expected to be finalized this offseason, though a firm timeline is not currently in place.

“He’s training. He’s doing what Nick Bosa does,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said at the annual league meetings, “and we’re going to address his contract at some point. I know that it will take persistence, it will take patience, all the things I said before” (h/t Rohan Chakravarthi of 49erswebzone.com).

Last offseason, Lynch made it clear that multi-year deals for both Bosa and wideout Deebo Samuel had been budgeted for. In the latter’s case, contract talks broke down to the point that Samuel requested a trade, something the team never gave serious consideration to. In the end, the sides agreed on a three-year, $71.5MM deal in the summer to keep him in the Bay Area as a key part of the team’s nucleus.

A Bosa extension will likely be notably more lucrative. The 25-year-old has racked up 43 sacks in 51 career games, adding eight forced fumbles and 56 tackles for loss in that span. Rebounding from his injury-shortened 2020 campaign, the three-time Pro Bowler has remained healthy for the past two seasons, helping the 49ers enjoy consecutive trips to the NFC title game.

“He’s a really good player who’s going to get everything that he’s earned and deserves, and I do like our track record of getting [extensions] done,” Lynch said, adding on the subject of a potential timeline that, “they don’t come as quick as you’d like sometimes… And this one, I don’t know where that would be. I don’t think that has to be the case, but we’ll see where it goes.”

The NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher is Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt, who averages $28MM per year on his current deal. Amongst all defensive players, that figure trails only Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald ($31.6MM). Bosa could command a deal outpacing each of those players given his age and production, and a turbulent negotiating period certainly wouldn’t be unprecedented for the 49ers. Given Lynch’s remarks, though, a monster deal coming together in the near future would come as little surprise.

49ers Rumors: Garoppolo, Bosa

January 26th, 2023 at 10:01pm CST by Ely Allen

The story in the Bay Area for the last two months has been the play of 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. But for a team that has already seen their top two quarterback options for the season go down with injury, the prospect of having to turn to veteran, journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson is not an extremely attractive one as they prepare for the conference championship and Super Bowl. It was good news, then, when head coach Kyle Shanahan reported earlier this week that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had an “outside chance” of being available for this weekend’s game with a Super Bowl trip being even more likely, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

A more recent update from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has clarified that Garoppolo’s most recent X-rays have resulted in in him being downgraded to doubtful for the NFC Championship game. That doesn’t rule him out for the big game in two weeks’ time, though. If the 49ers make it past the Eagles for a trip to Arizona, they may see a significant upgrade to their quarterbacks room.

Purdy would most likely continue in his starting role, as the team has not lost with him at quarterback, but Garoppolo would be a massive upgrade at backup quarterback over Johnson. Johnson was given the roster spot for a reason, but Garoppolo’s years of familiarity and experience with the offense makes him much more suited for success in an emergency situation during the season’s biggest game.

Regardless, as big of a game as it is, San Francisco likely respects Garoppolo too much to rush him back into play if he’s not ready. If there is any danger of further injury, expect the two-deep to show Purdy and Johnson as the top options.

Here’s another rumor for San Francisco as they prepare to join rest of the NFL in the offseason, whether that be in three days or seventeen:

Continuing a story from the offseason, the 49ers still have every intention of extending star defensive end Nick Bosa. While the NFL’s reigning sack leader does have a fifth-year option on his rookie contract, San Francisco has no intention of letting him get anywhere near that close to free agency. According to a report from Rapoport, Bosa’s expectation will be nothing short of becoming the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Currently, by annual average value, that honor belongs to Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who makes $31.67MM per year, with Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt coming in a far off second at $28MM per year. Bosa’s older brother, Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa, currently sits in third at $27MM per year. The younger Bosa will demand a pretty penny, but San Francisco has made a point to invest in its young assets recently, rewarding such players as wide receiver Deebo Samuel, tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle, and running back Christian McCaffrey handsomely. Expect that trend to continue as they attempt to lock down the potential 2022 Defensive Player of the Year.

49ers Getting Key Starters Back Against Chiefs

October 21st, 2022 at 7:11pm CST by Ely Allen

San Francisco obviously got a big boost in acquiring former Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey this week, although his impact for Sunday afternoon’s matchup against the Chiefs is still yet to be determined. Well, the good news keeps rolling in for the 49ers as three starters in defensive end Nick Bosa, offensive tackle Trent Williams, and safety Jimmie Ward are all set to play this week as the team hosts Kansas City, according to a tweet from NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti.

Bosa returns to the lineup after missing last week’s game, a loss to the Falcons, with a groin injury that knocked him out in the first half of the team’s win over the Panthers in the week prior. Bosa should return his normal dominance to the Niners defense. In five games this year, Bosa has 6.0 sacks, 6.0 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits. His presence will be a big boost against the wily Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes.

San Francisco hasn’t seen Williams on the field since the star tackle went to the locker room in the third quarter of a Week 3 matchup against the Broncos. The 49ers offense has been relying on backup swing tackle Jaylon Moore during Williams’ absence, and, while he has filled in admirably, the return of the nine-time Pro Bowl tackle, Williams, will be a welcome addition.

While the 49ers have also been utilizing and enjoying the depth of their safety position, they will welcome the return of safety Jimmie Ward. The ninth-year veteran has enjoyed a starting role in San Francisco since 2015 with only injuries here and there limiting his playing time. Ward had returned from injured reserve against the Panthers, after missing the first four weeks of the season, but suffered a broken hand on the opening kickoff and left the game. After sitting out last week, the Niners are ready to put Ward back on the field. He’ll sport a full club cast on his left hand and, depending on how he’s feeling on the field, they’ll likely be careful with his return to avoid any more stints on the injured lists, meaning Tashaun Gipson, who has been starting in Ward’s absence, could still see some significant snaps.

While we still can’t be sure just how much McCaffrey will be a part of San Francisco’s gameplan, the addition of Bosa, Williams, and Ward bodes well for the 49ers’ chances against one of the juggernauts of the AFC.

49ers S Jimmie Ward Expected To Miss Multiple Games

October 13th, 2022 at 2:04pm CST by Sam Robinson

After missing the 49ers’ first four games with a hamstring injury, Jimmie Ward came off injured reserve and returned to his starting post alongside emerging talent Talanoa Hufanga. Ward then suffered another injury on San Francisco’s first defensive play. Another absence is on tap.

The ninth-year safety, whom the 49ers brought back from IR when first eligible, is looking at a multiweek shutdown after his latest injury, according to Kyle Shanahan. The sixth-year HC said (via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch) Ward could return “in a few weeks.” Ward suffered a broken left hand and has already undergone surgery.

Ward, 31, is guaranteed to miss this week’s game against the Falcons, with a re-evaluation scheduled for next week to determine how effectively he can play with a cast. The former first-round pick came into the season having enjoyed an improved run of health. He only missed six games from 2019-21, anchoring San Francisco’s safety group as Jaquiski Tartt was more frequently absent. But Ward experienced extensive early-career injury misfortune, playing more than 10 games just once in his first five seasons.

The 49ers have Tashaun Gipson on hand as Ward’s replacement. With Gipson starting the team’s first four games, when Ward was on IR, the 49ers plugging the veteran back in alongside Hufanga makes for a simple transition. But injuries are continuing to pile up for the 49ers, depleting what might be the NFL’s premier defense.

Arik Armstead will miss another game due to foot and ankle issues, while Nick Bosa is uncertain to suit up against Atlanta after suffering a groin injury in Week 5. Shanahan said Bosa has a chance to play in Week 6, though he did not practice Wednesday. Charles Omenihu is likely to start if Bosa cannot go, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Javon Kinlaw, who has followed Ward in encountering early-career injury trouble, has missed the past two games due to lingering pain in his surgically repaired left knee. Kinlaw, who has not yet adequately filled the DeForest Buckner void for which he was drafted, is expecting to play through some pain this season.

Moseley’s injury could reopen the door for Jason Verrett, a talented player but one who has cleared the six-game barrier just twice in eight seasons. The 49ers designated Verrett for return and look to view him as a starter if he is healthy. In total, however, the 3-2 team has sustained a concerning number of injuries to start this season.

49ers CB Emmanuel Moseley Suffers Torn ACL

October 10th, 2022 at 11:53am CST by Adam La Rose

OCTOBER 10: As feared, Mosely did indeed suffer a torn ACL yesterday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. He will now undergo season-ending surgery in advance of hitting the open market this spring.

OCTOBER 9: The 49ers improved to 3-2 on the season with today’s win over the Panthers, but they paid a heavy price for it on the injury front. A number of key players left the game early, including cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the contest that Mosley is believed to have suffered a torn ACL.

ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tweets that further testing will be done in the next 24 hours to confirm the diagnosis. Assuming it is true, though, the injury would end Moseley’s season and deal a significant blow to San Francisco’s defense. 2022 has been the second straight campaign in which the former UDFA has been a full-time starter.

Mosely entered today’s game with 19 tackles and three pass breakups, putting him on pace to at least match his production in recent years. Able to play both on the outside and in the slot, he has been an effective member of the 49ers’ secondary. That earned him a two-year deal last offseason, which will see him make $4.4MM in guaranteed money this season. Heading into free agency, however, his focus will now turn to recovery.

The 49ers have a number of options available to replace Moseley. Among them is veteran Jason Verrett, who has been designated to return after starting the season on the PUP list. The 31-year-old has dealt with a myriad of injuries throughout his career, but could prove to be an effective complement to fellow starter Charvarius Ward if he is able to return to full health.

In other injury news, starting safety Jimmie Ward suffered a broken hand, as noted by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). An extended absence from him would be problematic for the 49ers’ defense, but not as much as one from star pass rusher Nick Bosa. He left the game with a groin injury, so his status will be the subject of plenty of scrutiny in the coming days. Kicker Robbie Gould, meanwhile, exited due to a knee injury.

NFC West Rumors: Bosa, McGlinchey, Hawks

August 21st, 2022 at 7:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

It continues to look like the 49ers will wait until 2023 to extend Nick Bosa. The fourth-year defensive end became extension-eligible in January, but unlike 2019 draft classmate Deebo Samuel, Bosa has a fifth-year option for 2023. The 49ers would prefer to wait here, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, and Bosa has not pressed the issue regarding a 2022 extension. This comes after John Lynch said next year will likely be the window for a Bosa deal, despite the expected $24MM windfall the 49ers are expected to receive when they move Jimmy Garoppolo‘s contract off their payroll — via trade or release — by Week 1. This will not be a DeForest Buckner situation, however. Lynch said this week Bosa will be a long-term 49er.

“What I do know, as long as we’re here, Nick Bosa is going to be a part of the Niners and he’s going to get paid handsomely to do so,” Lynch said. “His time is coming, and when it does, he’ll get what he deserves because man, what a special player.”

Bosa will be expected to bridge the gap between Aaron Donald ($31.7MM per year) and the field, with the prospect the NFL has at least two $30MM-AAV defenders by Week 1 2023 looking likely. Here is the latest from the NFC West:

One of Bosa’s top practice opponents will not be on the field for a bit. The 49ers will hold Mike McGlinchey out of practice for at least this week, Kyle Shanahan said (via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch). McGlinchey, who missed the second half of last season due to a torn quad, experienced knee pain after an eight-snap preseason opener and underwent a PRP procedure. The fifth-year right tackle does not have a timetable for return, making this a must-monitor situation. The 49ers’ offensive line is already set to look considerably different. Alex Mack retired, Laken Tomlinson signed with the Jets and McGlinchey’s 2021 backup — Tom Compton — is now a Bronco. Colton McKivitz, who spent most of 2021 on San Francisco’s practice squad, resides as McGlinchey’s current understudy.
Drew Lock missed the Seahawks‘ second preseason game Thursday and remains away from the team. Pete Carroll said the QB trade acquisition is “really sick” with COVID-19, which the team announced he contracted Tuesday. After a solid start (minus a late-game fumble) in Seattle’s preseason opener, Lock is losing ground to Geno Smith by missing time. Smith remains in the lead for the Seahawks’ QB1 post, Eric Williams of Fox Sports writes. This seems like a situation in which both players will start games for the 2022 Seahawks, but Smith remains in pole position to get the Week 1 call.
After the 49ers cut Darqueze Dennard, they look set to give their slot cornerback job to rookie Samuel Womack, Branch notes. The fifth-round pick, who had been viewed as behind Dennard in this competition earlier in camp, intercepted two passes in the 49ers’ preseason opener. Charvarius Ward and Emmanuel Moseley are expected to be San Francisco’s outside corners.
The Seahawks traded one of their slot options, Ugo Amadi, to the Eagles for J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. They may well call on a rookie to man the post as well. Coby Bryant is looking like he will play in the nickel role, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. The Seahawks have not used presumptive outside starters Sidney Jones or Artie Burns during the preseason. Seattle chose Bryant in the fourth round and Tariq Woolen in the fifth; the latter worked as an outside corner in the team’s second preseason tilt Thursday.

49ers Planning 2023 Nick Bosa Extension

July 26th, 2022 at 4:32pm CST by Sam Robinson

Two of the NFL’s highest-profile (non-quarterback tier) extension candidates reside in San Francisco. It appears the 49ers will take advantage of Nick Bosa‘s rookie contract, one that runs a year longer than Deebo Samuel‘s.

The prospect of the 49ers tabling a Bosa extension to 2023 surfaced earlier this summer, despite GM John Lynch indicating in February the team has a new deal for the dominant defensive end budgeted. Tuesday, Lynch said the team is now likely to extend Bosa in 2023, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com tweets.

Because of the fifth-year option included in first-rounders’ contracts, the 49ers have Bosa signed for two more seasons. Samuel’s second-round deal expires after this year. Although the salary cap’s rise and the prospect of other edge rusher deals being completed between now and the 2023 offseason invites the prospect of Bosa’s price tag rising, the 49ers sound willing to risk that. Bosa is attached to an $895K base salary this season; his 2023 price tag comes in at $17.9MM.

Jimmy Garoppolo‘s $26MM cap number currently complicates 49ers extension math. So does Samuel’s murky status. The 49ers’ $4.9MM in cap space sits 31st in the league. Samuel reported to 49ers camp Tuesday, and Lynch called talks with the wideout “substantive,” though he cautioned nothing is imminent here (video link). While Bosa signed for $33.6MM guaranteed in 2019, doing so as the No. 2 overall pick, Samuel’s rookie deal was worth $7.7MM. The 2020 CBA has largely curbed holdouts, though it has increased “hold-ins” as a negotiating measure. Samuel did not participate in the 49ers’ minicamp, which came less than two months after his trade request.

Bosa signing an extension in 2023 would put him on the same track as other pass-rushing standouts. T.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa signed deals ahead of their fifth seasons. Von Miller played Year 5 on the franchise tag before signing a record extension ahead of his sixth season. Myles Garrett, however, inked his current deal ahead of his fourth year. Donald’s defender-record $31.7MM-per-year deal represents the current defender standard. Nick Bosa ending up with a deal between Watt’s $28MM-AAV pact and Donald’s would make sense. Then again, as the QB market regularly shows, less accomplished players frequently surpass monster contracts given to superstars. Bosa is one of the NFL’s best defensive players, and despite not quite being on Donald’s plane, the fourth-year 49er defensive end producing another strong year would likely lead to conversations about topping Donald’s price.

Watt staged a “hold-in” effort last year, passing on team drills during training camp before he signed an extension just before the season. It would be interesting if Nick Bosa followed that path this year, given his low base salary and importance to the 49ers’ defense. For now, it looks like the younger Bosa brother will play a fourth season on his rookie contract.

49ers Discussing Deebo Samuel Extension, Yet To Begin Nick Bosa Talks

June 8th, 2022 at 9:33am CST by Sam Robinson

Neither Deebo Samuel nor Nick Bosa participated fully during the first day of 49ers minicamp. Samuel did not go through any on-field work with the team, while Bosa shut down his activity following individual drills. Neither had participated in the team’s OTA sessions.

Samuel showing up represented a good sign for the 49ers, however, and Kyle Shanahan confirmed the team continues to discuss an extension with its All-Pro wide receiver, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. The sixth-year San Francisco HC is confident the parties will hammer out a deal before the season, per The Athletic’s David Lombardi (on Twitter).

Shanahan passed on addressing whether Samuel’s trade request is still on. That request surfaced before A.J. Brown‘s $25MM-per-year Eagles deal came to pass. With Samuel connected to $25MM ahead of that contract, for a player who has yet to put together an All-Pro season, it will be interesting to see if the 49ers are willing to pay him $10MM north of George Kittle‘s tight end-leading AAV. Other than Pierre Garcon‘s five-year, $47.5MM contract, the 49ers have not paid much at the receiver position under Shanahan. The 49ers’ initial offer was believed to come in south of $19MM per year.

Although the 49ers’ murky negotiations with Samuel are underway, Shanahan said the team has not begun any talks with Bosa. Samuel is going into a contract year, while Bosa’s rookie deal includes a fifth-year option — one the 49ers made the simple decision to exercise last month. The former No. 2 overall pick is tied to an $895K 2022 salary and $17.9MM fifth-year option price.

While Shanahan expects Bosa to be a 49er “for a very long time,” the team may not end up completing a deal with the two-time Pro Bowler this offseason. John Lynch said a Bosa deal has been budgeted, but a few other key pass rushers’ timelines — from Aaron Donald to T.J. Watt to Joey Bosa — included extensions ahead of their fifth seasons. Myles Garrett signed his Browns re-up after his third season, but that serves as an outlier among top-tier edge rushers. Von Miller‘s Broncos extension did not come to pass until after his fifth season. None of those teams had a Samuel-type situation to address, either. That and Jimmy Garoppolo‘s $26.9MM cap number will continue to cloud matters with the younger Bosa.

Deebo Samuel, Nick Bosa To Report For 49ers Minicamp

June 7th, 2022 at 9:02am CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers discussed Deebo Samuel trades during the draft, after the wide receiver made a request to be moved in the days prior. But John Lynch has continued to insist the All-Pro is not available. The sixth-year GM reaffirmed this stance last week.

Samuel is not expected to wage a holdout. He will report for 49ers minicamp this week, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. This does not necessarily mean the 49ers are out of the woods here, but Samuel showing up after missing OTAs represents a positive development for the team. San Francisco’s minicamp starts Tuesday.

Issues from Samuel’s contract to his role in Kyle Shanahan‘s offense to even his desire not to live in California factored into the trade request. The 49ers’ trade talks leading up to and during the draft, however, were not believed to be substantial. For now, Samuel remains a 49er and on track to play a fourth season with the team that drafted him.

Since Samuel’s trade request, the Titans balked at paying A.J. Brown, sending him to the Eagles for a package involving a first-round pick. The Eagles then gave the 2019 second-round pick a $25MM-per-year deal (third among wideouts) that included $56MM fully guaranteed (first). With Samuel having an All-Pro honor on his resume, he can make the Brown AAV his floor. Samuel was asking for around $25MM per year before the Brown contract emerged. That complicates matters for a cap-strapped 49ers team still carrying Jimmy Garoppolo‘s $26.9MM cap number. Garoppolo has been excused from minicamp, but his contract is an issue for a team with Samuel and Nick Bosa extensions on the radar.

The 49ers have not been high on paying wide receivers since Shanahan’s first year, when the team doled out a midlevel Pierre Garcon contract. Garcon did not excel in San Francisco and lasted two seasons with the team. After that, the 49ers turned to the draft at receiver, selecting Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk early. The team said it had a Samuel extension budgeted months ago, but that was before the deals for Brown, Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill changed the market. The 49ers’ initial Samuel offer was believed to have come in below $19MM per year.

Bosa looks set to be at minicamp as well. Joining Samuel in skipping 49ers OTAs, Bosa was at the team facility this week, Rapoport adds (on Twitter). The fourth-year defender will, in fact, report to minicamp, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes. Bosa can aim to surpass T.J. Watt as the NFL’s highest-paid edge rusher. Watt is tied to a $28MM-per-year deal. Although Aaron Donald is now earning more than $31MM annually on his recent reworking, Watt’s contract will likely be more pertinent in the 49ers’ Bosa talks.

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