Better or not, here come the Chargers.
Well not just yet, with the entire team picture still coming in focus with the draft approaching fast.
But the Chargers have been busy in the offseason days leading up to it, signing their own free agents and - in a bit of departure from years' past - other free agents as well.
Still it's difficult to gauge if that one burning question that is asked each offseason can be answered yet. And if so, what is that answer?
"Are the Chargers a better team now, and do they have a better shot of winning the AFC West, than when last season ended?"
Tough one, and really a final assessment can't be delivered until we see the fruits of general manager A. J. Smith's draft haul.
But right now, it's clear the Chargers have added some interesting pieces: inside linebacker Jarret Johnson, wide receivers Robert Meachem and Eddie Royal, safety Atari Bigby and fullback Le'Ron McClain.
From within, the Chargers retained left tackle Jared Gaither, center Nick Hardwick, tight end Randy McMichael, defensive tackle Luis Castillo and defensive tackle Antonio Garay.
But are those additions enough to offset what went out the door through defections and retirement?
Gone are three Pro Bowlers; left tackle Marcus McNeill (released), left guard Kris Dielman (retired) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (left for Tampa Bay as a free agent). Plus running back Mike Tolbert, who averaged nearly 10 touchdowns a year the past three seasons, fled to Carolina.
In their places are Gaither, who showed well late last year at left tackle but is on his third team; career backup Tyronne Green at guard and the pass-catching combination of Meachem and Royal, who'll be supported by Malcom Floyd and Vincent Brown.
Another running back to aid Ryan Mathews has yet to emerge.
The defense is the side with the biggest shortcomings and it was aided by the return of Castillo and Garay; neither is spectacular, both are steady.
But starting safety Steve Gregory left and the Chargers are hoping Bigby shows more than what is revealed on the back of his football card.
So are the Chargers improved? Have they made enough moves in regard to significant, impact players to make a significant statement next season by making the playoffs for the first time since the 2009 campaign?
That answer is still to be determined, but on the surface, it doesn't appear the Chargers are that much - if at all - better than when they finished strong last year in winning four of their final five games to finish at .500.
And a peak around the division, one the Chargers not that long ago won four straight times, and it's clear there's been an across-the-board upgrade.
Peyton Manning is heading to Denver, and that's says it all.
The Chiefs get the return of two of their top players from injuries: safety Eric Berry and running back Jamaal Charles.
The Raiders? Quarterback Carson Palmer, if nothing else has a full offseason to grasp the offense and they have their first real general manager since 1972.
So while the Chargers have been busy, it remains to be seen if their offseason is the type that iconic UCLA basketball coach John Wooden might have referred to in a phrase: "Never mistake activity for achievement."
Yes, the Chargers have been busy. No, we can't say with certainty - not yet anyway - that Chargers are better.
