ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Top Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore gave conflicting responses Tuesday when asked whether he will report to training camp on time next month amid ongoing negotiations over a contract extension.
Gilmore, who did not participate in voluntary organized team activities the past three weeks, reported for mandatory minicamp this week but tweeted Monday, "I'm just here so I won't get fined" -- which he termed Tuesday as a "joke."
Asked Tuesday if he would sit out training camp as he did OTAs, Gilmore responded, "Probably not. I’m a competitor. I’m gonna go in and work like I do and whatever happens, like I said, happens. I’m gonna put it on film, put what I do on film. It will speak for itself.”
Later, Gilmore responded "of course" when asked if he would participate in training camp, adding, “I’m gonna compete whenever I get there, I’m gonna compete. I’m gonna work on my craft in training camp and carry that over into the season, have a great year and see what happens.”
When asked to clarify what he meant by "whenever I get there," and whether that meant the start of training camp July 29, Gilmore responded, "We'll see."
Gilmore, the No. 10 overall selection in the 2012 draft, is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract and is set to earn $11.08 million. When asked if his expiring contract was the reason he did not report to OTAs, Gilmore did not directly answer.
"I mean, I just had to do what's best for myself and really sit back and focus on myself," he said. "I talked to coaches and teammates who were very supportive of my decision."
Gilmore missed the final four games of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery and remained out of action during Tuesday's minicamp practice as he continued his rehabilitation.
