With the exception of an appearance on the Panthers' Snapchat account, the NFL's reigning MVP did a good job avoiding cameras Wednesday.

But as Carolina gathered for the start of training camp, Cam Newton was, as always, a talking point — even if most folks around the team have run out of superlatives by now.

"He's a special talent. We all know that. To deny that you'd have brain damage," general manager Dave Gettleman said.

"Last year was not a mirage. I cannot emphasize this enough: It's really important to him. The kid is a tremendous competitor, and at the end of the day, all he wants to do is win."

Which is the reasoning Newton and the Panthers have used since the quarterback's brief Super Bowl press conference spawned endless, "Cam Newton Could Learn" think pieces.

Regardless of how Newton acted in those moments following the loss to Denver, what's more important to the Panthers is that, like Golden State's Stephen Curry, Newton has plenty of room to get better even after winning an MVP award.

"He's the type of football player whose skill set and what he can do as a football player almost seems unlimited at times," said Ron Rivera, who this spring ensured fans he wasn't putting his quarterback "on blast" with similar comments.

"For the things that he does, to expect him to do more, people say, ‘Oh, you're crazy.' But with him, there always has to be that carrot, always has to be that challenge. Can he get better? I really think so."

Good luck with that, rest of the NFL.

"He's never going to be satisfied with where he's at, he's never going to be satisfied with what he's accomplished," tight end Greg Olsen said. "I think that's what makes him a special guy, I think that's what makes him a special player.

"But we'll take last year again if we have to."