In 2011, the Panthers bought a Bentley. They were rolling in Uncle Buck’s ride the previous season, so the upgrade was much needed. But since then, they haven’t done a whole lot with the upkeep.

That’s essentially what Carolina’s done after drafting Cam Newton. They’ve provided minimal maintenance, but not enough to keep their biggest asset performing as well as it could be. That has to change this offseason. Newton needs better weapons and protection and that’s what the front office is working on.

For example, going into another season depending on Steve Smith to be a number one receiver is like using an iPod for the Bentley’s audio system.

Smith was drafted in 2001, the same year Apple released its game-changing device. For the most part, both still work. But it’s 2014, and the fact the Panthers haven’t at least upgraded to an iPhone over the years is confounding.

Since drafting Smith, the list of receivers drafted by the Panthers looks like this: Walter Young (’03), Keary Colbert (’04), Drew Carter (’04), Dwayne Jarrett (’07), Ryne Robinson (’07), Brandon LaFell (’10), Armanti Edwards (’10), David Gettis (’10), Kealoha Pilares (’11) and Joe Adams (’12).

Of the 10, three are still in the league. LaFell was the only one both with the Panthers and on an NFL roster for the entire season in 2013. None were higher than a second-round pick.

Since drafting Smith, the list of receivers the Panthers have added through free agency includes guys like this: Kevin Dyson (’03), Keyshawn Johnson (’06), D.J. Hackett (’08), Legedu Naanee (’11), Ted Ginn (’13) and Domenik Hixon (’13).

While Ginn and Hixon each had their moments last season, there’s a chance Ginn won’t be back, and neither were better than an ideal No. 3 receiver.

To be fair to the previous regime, they didn’t need to look for a new No. 1 when they had both Smith and Muhsin Muhammad. But that was long ago now.

So while the Steve Smith Situation has understandably been the hot topic for both media and fans early this offseason, it’s also causing many to not see the forest for the trees. The next few months aren’t about keeping or getting rid of the best player in franchise history. He’s just one piece of the much bigger puzzle.

Matt Ryan has Julio Jones and Roddy White. Colin Kaepernick has Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and one of the NFL’s best run games. Russell Wilson doesn’t have marquee receiving options, but he does have one of the league’s best running backs and offensive lines. Newton has?

Greg Olsen is an underrated tight end and the best receiving option the Panthers have brought on board since Smith. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart still have some tread left on their tires. But what else on the current roster makes anyone think Carolina’s offense can supplement its elite defense enough to become the best team in the NFC?

Even if the Panthers bring in more weapons, it won’t work all that well unless Newton has better protection. Essentially, the Bentley needs a new set of tires.

Sure, you’ve got a Pro Bowler in Ryan Kalil, but come Week 1, the four other offensive line positions could be filled by guys other than the ones who started the majority of games last season.

At guard, the Panthers are putting a lot of faith in Amini Silatolu returning from an ACL tear and Edmund Kugbila coming back from a lost rookie season. At tackle, Jordan Gross has been enjoying retirement for a couple months already and Byron Bell isn’t necessarily an ideal starter.

Carolina not only needs to fill holes on the line, they have to fill those holes with better, bigger and faster talent. Using anything less to protect Newton is like going to Jiffy Lube for a Bentley’s oil changes.

It’s easy to get bogged down focusing on what will happen with Smith this offseason. But the fate of a soon-to-be 35-year-old receiver won’t decide if the Panthers improve on last year’s NFC South title.

If they want to keep the iPod around, fine. If they don’t, fine. But if Carolina’s going to ride Newton to bigger and better things, they have to do much more to soup up their ride this offseason.