Kelvin Benjamin prepares for NFL games on his own terms, apparently.
The Buffalo Bills wide receiver was on the NRG Stadium field Sunday getting ready for a Week 6 tilt against the Houston Texans when rookie quarterback Josh Allen apparently approached Benjamin to ask if he could run a few routes to help him warm up.
Here’s how that went, according to WHAM-13’s Jenna Cottrell:
#Bills Josh Allen just asked Kelvin Benjamin if he wanted to work on routes pregame during warm ups.
Kelvin’s answer: No
— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) October 14, 2018
To further clarify, It was about an hour and half before the game. Benjamin remained on the field afterwards while the other WR's ran routes for Allen. I was not the only reporter to hear the conversation.
— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) October 14, 2018
At least he’s honest?
Benjamin’s blunt answer quickly made the rounds on Twitter, where many criticized the 27-year-old for blowing off his rookie QB.
Without the benefit of context here, players have their own pre-game routines, receivers included, but a "No" response by Kelvin Benjamin never would have been acceptable to, say, Peyton Manning. There should come a time when a QB isn't asking but demanding. https://t.co/375VXYdZx6
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 14, 2018
Kelvin Benjamin continues to be one of the biggest doofuses in the league. https://t.co/uZMkIBITnf
— nick wright (@getnickwright) October 14, 2018
Others, such as former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, urged folks not to read into a quick moment that happened well before the game began.
People get ready for a game however they may choose to get ready for a game. Don’t crucify Kelvin Benjamin for this. You don’t know his routine smh. https://t.co/RBaOwlLjWo
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 14, 2018
Of course, it’d be easier to let Benjamin off the hook if he was having a better season. The Bills wideout — who was involved in some pregame drama with Cam Newton earlier in the preseason — has just eight catches for a combined 103 yards through five games, and his 30.8 catch percentage is the second-lowest in the entire NFL among qualified pass-catchers.
Basically, it sounds like Benjamin could use the extra practice. Maybe he’s putting in the work some other time.
