Panthers' GM: Newton can improve if receivers are better

Carolina Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman believes quarterback Cam Newton has room for improvement, but it's up to his teammates to make it happen.

Gettleman has been confident in the reigning NFL MVP's abilities for some time and now he's calling on the receivers to step up as well.

"I told you guys a year ago that he can take us to the promised land. He did. Now we've got to just take one more step," Gettleman told Bill Voth of the Black and Blue Review. "He's very capable of doing that, but the other guys have to do their part, too."

Newton led his team to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl 50 appearance, despite missing his number one receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, last season. Newton propped up his corps of mediocre pass-catchers with accurate throws and elusive runs, but ultimately it wasn't enough to win the big game.

"When you've got guys dropping balls, it ain't the quarterback's fault," Gettleman said. "There's a reason they call them receiver. (Newton) made so many big-time throws last year that in my mind, his accuracy shouldn't be a concern to anyone."

The Panthers were eighth in the league in dropped passes last season with 24, according to SportingCharts.com.

Benjamin is expected to be back at full health for the beginning of training camp in late July. He will join returning pass catchers Ted Ginn, Corey Brown, Devin Funchess, and Brenton Bersin.