Kelvin Benjamin and Cam Newton exchange words before game

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) high five after a pass completion during the second half between the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on November 17, 2016, in Charlotte, NC. Panthers win 23-20 over the Saints. (Photo by Jim Dedmon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Carolina Panthers are visiting the Buffalo Bills tonight, and Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin got the intensity ratcheted up early on.

Last week, Buffalo Bills receiver — and former Carolina Panthers first-round pick — Kelvin Benjamin spoke to The Athletic’s Tim Graham, telling him that Cam Newton was a detriment to his career. Benjamin, who has been a good-but-not-great player in his five-year career, believes Newton is inaccurate and without superior football knowledge.

Newton, the 2015 NFL MVP, said little in response, but did approach Benjamin on Thursday night near midfield, hand extended. Benjamin didn’t shake it, and although Panthers linebacker tried to intervene, Newton waved him off and kept the conversation going.

Cooler heads prevailed and both ended up walking away disgruntled, but the larger point is worth exploring. Is Benjamin right, or is he bitter about the trade that sent him to Buffalo?

In his seven-year career, Newton has thrown for 4,000 yards once (his rookie season) with 158 touchdowns against 94 interceptions. The inaccuracy knock is, well, accurate, as Newton has completed a mediocre 58.5 percent of his throws, often struggling on intermediate attempts.

As for Benjamin, the Panthers actually had to deny reports last summer that Benjamin showed up to OTAs at 280 pounds. Not exactly known as a player with the greatest work ethic, Benjamin has incredible physical gifts but has leveraged them into a single 1,000-yard season, his rookie campaign of 2014. Oddly enough, when Benjamin was lost for the season with a torn ACL in the summer of 2015, the Panthers went 15-1 and reached the Super Bowl. It was also Newton’s MVP season.

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So who is right? Well, Benjamin hasn’t been a legitimate star in years, and Newton has one great season to his name with a bunch of other decent ones attached to his resume. Still, Benjamin should keep his comments in check, and Newton shouldn’t waste time trying to shake a hand that dropped so many catchable balls over the years.