Rivera surprised by Gettleman's firing: 'Dave did a great job for us'

Ron Rivera didn't have any inside information about his general manager's firing.

The Carolina Panthers head coach told Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer he was "surprised" the team let go of Dave Gettleman on Monday after four seasons, but he knows there is little use in dwelling on the past.

"The decision was made, and that’s what we're going to do," Rivera said. "The biggest thing is Dave did a great job for us. He helped me to grow as a coach, he helped to put the final pieces of the puzzle together and he helped us get to the Super Bowl."

He added: "I talked to Dave yesterday because I wanted to make sure he knew I appreciated everything he did for me."

Rivera feels Gettleman left the team in a position to win in 2017, and now feels it is his responsibility to finish what he started with the former GM.

"It's football. You've got to be productive," Rivera said. "I've got to get us back on track. ... I'm going to work hard to do that, as is our coaching staff."

Rivera added: "The key is we have to play to our potential. We've also got a group of young guys that have to grow up, and we need to make sure Cam (Newton) is completely healthy again. ... But we can be a very good team."