On Tuesday, Philip Rivers threw to receivers new and old while the defense conditioned.
Casey Hayward intercepts Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.
Korey Toomer avoids a diving Bills fullback Patrick DiMarco after intercepting Bills quarterback Nathan Peterman on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017.
Nerves can be commonplace throughout an NFL season.
While he won't make his Chargers debut for another four months, Travis Benjamin felt those exact same butterflies Tuesday morning.
After all, this was the morning he would finally catch a pass from Philip Rivers.
The highly coveted wide receiver admitted a major reason why he chose to sign a four-year contract with the Bolts was to link up with number 17. On Tuesday, he finally got a taste of what life is like with Rivers throwing him the ball.
It's safe to say Benjamin was impressed.
"He puts some touch on his ball," he said as his eyes grew wide. "I mean, you turn around and it is right there. He knows exactly where you are going to be. I was nervous at first, but then it went away and it was an exciting moment for me after my first route. We connected on every route today, so I'm looking forward to that next session."
It may not have been in a game, and it may not have even been in a typical NFL practice setting, but Benjamin explained why it was a major milestone nonetheless.
"It's great to get going. It's great knowing you've got a quarterback like Philip Rivers (with) the way he talks, the things he works on and the things he tells you he wants you to work on. It's about being humble and following his path. Wherever he may lead us, and wherever he may lead me, it is going to be a great experience."
The Chargers signed Benjamin to add an explosive speed element into an already potent passing attack. Spending his first four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he caught 109 passes for 1,683 yards and 10 touchdowns in 54 games and 21 starts over his four-year career. The 5-10, 175-pound wideout had a breakout season in 2015, catching 68 passes for 966 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He had 12 receptions of at least 20 yards, six catches over 40 yards and his four touchdown catches on balls thrown at least 30 yards were tied for the most in the NFL.
Benjamin's ability to stretch the field brings a new dynamic to the Bolts talented arsenal of wide receivers. While Tuesday marked his first chance to catch passes from his new quarterback, he's already built a strong bond with the other wideouts on the roster.
"Dontrelle (Inman) had a BBQ one day at his house, so I met all those guys then," he said. "They welcomed me in right away, so I've felt like a Charger for a while. It's always a great experience when guys welcome you in as one of their own."
