SAN DIEGO -- Like many players, Travis Benjamin plans to approach his first matchup against his former team like a business trip.

Benjamin spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, but left during free agency as Cleveland transitioned with a new front office in place and a coaching staff led by Hue Jackson.

Benjamin signed a four-year, $24 million deal to join the San Diego Chargers and the stability of quarterback Philip Rivers.

“I have a lot of respect for Travis,” Jackson said. “I spoke with him personally a couple times over the phone. And obviously I think he did what he felt was best for his family, and we totally respect that. He’s where he should be, and we have the receivers that we should have at this time.”

Benjamin caught passes from eight different quarterbacks while with the Browns, and Cleveland has used six players at the quarterback position just this season.

“It’s Cleveland, but it’s another game I get to play,” Benjamin said. “Going back there is going to be kind of emotional for me at first, but I’m just going back there to get a win.”

Benjamin’s first year in San Diego has been a bit of a roller coaster. He took on a larger role in the offense when Keenan Allen and Stevie Johnson went down with a season-ending knee injury.

Benjamin is third on the Chargers in receptions (44) and receiving yards (602), and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (4). He also has five drops this season.

Benjamin lost the starting punt return job earlier this year when he struggled with ball security. But the South Florida native also has shown toughness, playing through a sprained right knee that forced him to miss a game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.

“Early on it was a process to just get real comfortable,” Rivers said. “Not by any means did he have a hard time learning it -- but just getting comfortable with what we do and different roles we put him in. But you saw last week he catches the big, long one for a touchdown.

“I’ve underthrown one or two and we’ve just missed on one or two. I expected to have a handful more of those this year and we haven’t gotten that done. But those are in the future for sure. There were many games this year where he was a big contributor this year. I thought he fit in just fine.”

Rivers went on to say once the Chargers get Allen and Johnson back healthy, along with the development of Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Dontrelle Inman, the receivers group could be special next season.

Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt said Benjamin is set up for even more success next year because he has a better feel of what’s being asked of him, and the Chargers have a good idea of what he does best in the offense.

“He’s grown as a receiver from some of the things we’ve asked him to do and how hard he’s worked technically at the position,” Whisenhunt said. “I’ve been very pleased with what he’s brought to the table.

“To Travis’ credit, he’s a very smart young man. We’ve put him in a number of spots and asked him to do a number of things, and that’s not always easy. He’s been willing to work at it, and he’s done really well.”

Benjamin said he’s used to the cold in Cleveland and does not expect the elements to affect his play. Rain and temperatures around 40 degrees are expected for game time on Saturday. Benjamin said he won’t wear sleeves.

Benjamin also will see someone he faced a lot in practice in Cleveland cornerback Joe Haden.

“The only person that’s still there since I was there is probably Joe,” Benjamin said. “The rest of the corners are new. So it’s not about tendencies, but just going in there and getting ready by watching film. Joe is a great cornerback, an All-Pro cornerback, so I’ve just got to go out there and play.”