While his good friend spent much of the past couple months playing TV host in and around Hollywood, Kelvin Benjamin was in Charlotte. More specifically, at Bank of America Stadium.
After a season spent on the sidelines, Benjamin continues to work his way back from the ACL tear he suffered last summer at training camp. The third-year receiver remains on pace to reunite with quarterback Cam Newton, who, while filming his upcoming Nickelodeon show, kept tabs on his top wideout.
"(Newton) is down there working, so I told him don’t worry about it. You don’t have to keep checking on me. I’m handling my business," Benjamin said Monday after he, Newton and the rest of the Panthers began offseason workouts.
Benjamin wasn't beaming. He doesn't wear emotions on his sleeve like that. But it's not hard to envision how getting to a day like Monday must have felt.
#KB13 back at it. #MotivationMonday pic.twitter.com/WLzRLBtyKt
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 25, 2016
For months, Benjamin's only company was fellow receiver Stephen Hill, who tore his ACL two weeks before Benjamin. As they rehabbed, their teammates rolled through a 15-1 season and played in the Super Bowl.
"There were a lot of days we were down, wanting to be out there with the guys. And the guys had a great season," Benjamin said. "But we knew it was going roll around again and your name would be called."
And while the start of offseason workouts means the end of vacation for most guys, for Benjamin, it's a much-welcomed return to the field with his teammates.
"I can only imagine it’s been a lonely six, seven months for him. Rehabbing during the season can be mentally exhausting," tight end Greg Olsen said. "He’s been here all offseason working hard. He looks great.
"It’s almost like we got another pick this year. To get a young guy like that who had such success his rookie year, to add him to a mix of guys who played well last year is pretty exciting.”
Most assumed Carolina's hopes last season went down with Benjamin. But without him, the Panthers managed to score the most points in the NFL and led the league in converting red zone trips into touchdowns. Now Newton gets his 6-foot-5 weapon back.
"Definitely add me to the mix," Benjamin said. "I live in the red zone. It’s my playground."
As has been the plan for months, Benjamin will be limited to individual drills during OTAs and minicamp. The chains are scheduled to come off in late July, making Benjamin an exception – someone who's excited to spend hot summer days in Spartanburg.
"Training camp? Oh, I’m going to do everything," Benjamin said. "I can’t wait to get to training camp. I’m looking forward to it. I’m actually counting the days down."