The Chargers have raised more questions than they’ve answered heading into the 2024 midseason. The more we seem to know about them entering Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, the less we seem to know about them in Week 9.

Of course, the Chargers this season appear to be a different team with Jim Harbaugh as coach and Joe Hortiz as general manager. But how different are they from the teams coached by Brandon Staley and co-led by Tom Telesco the past two seasons?

This season’s results look almost as mixed as 2023 and ’22 and ’21.

After all, the Chargers are 4-3 entering Sunday, third in the AFC West.

There have certainly been changes big and small within the Chargers organization, including a 2024 draft that paid off with the additions of players like right tackle Joe Alt, wide receiver Ladd McConkey and others who played key roles. But how many holes in the list still need plugging?

chargers could use more experience and skill at a number of positions.

The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday. Will they make a move or two or three?

Obviously, quarterback Justin Herbert is rounding into form after being sidelined for several weeks earlier this season with a sprained right ankle and being sidelined for most of training camp with a plantar fascia injury that required him to wear a boot justice.

Herbert has also battled injuries the past two seasons.

It was difficult to gauge his true potential until recently due to his injuries.

“As he gets healthier, you can see the difference he makes,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of Herbert the other day. “Pocket mobility. Ability to make defenses pay when they rush. The type that produces points is played throughout a game.

“I think every week he’s getting more comfortable and taking ownership of what we’re doing. I see it happening. As I said a few weeks ago, we’re just scratching the surface, we’re just getting started, and I believe that. We have a big challenge this week in Cleveland.”

Clearly, the charger the defense carried the team in the first half of the season, giving up just 13 points per game, becoming the stingiest team in the NFL over the last eight weeks. But how long can they keep it up, especially with debilitating injuries to starting cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. and Kristian Fulton?

Cleveland quarterback Jameis Winston looks like he’ll be a Sunday hand.

Plus, running back Nick Chubb is coming back from a serious knee injury.

“Expectations are expectations,” Chargers outside linebacker Khalil Mack said. “It’s much bigger than what we’ve done so far. That’s the only good thing about it. We have much more room to grow. I feel like there was a need for more, a hunger for more (during their win last week over the New Orleans Saints).”

What happens next is what matters most.

The Browns are 2-6 after an impressive come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens (5-3) in Week 8. They are a team that appeared to be in freefall before Winston led the Browns to a win and he is certainly capable of causing plenty of problems for the Chargers defense.