Rashawn Slater is both grateful and excited after signing a multi-year contract extension with the Chargers.
But don't expect the massive new deal to alter the mindset of the Bolts star left tackle.
"It feels amazing. Just super thankful for the organization believing in me, drafting me five years ago," Slater said after Monday's practice. "Now to have a chance to do an extension, it means a lot for me and my family just the stability.
"But it doesn't change anything, I still got to wake up and give it my all every day," Slater added. "I'm just super thankful to be here."
Slater agreed to terms on the multi-year contract extension Sunday and later posted a picture on social media with his parents and siblings.
He said the milestone moment gave him a chance to reflect on his family's support ... and just how far he's come in his football career.
"It meant everything to me. Everything. They were with me at the draft," Slater said. "I remember my first football camp I ever went to, we did 1-on-1 pass rush in high school and I just got smoked. Getting bull rushed 10 yards back like every single play. I had no idea what I was doing.
"I was just sad and ashamed. My older brother, when we got home, took me out to the yard and showed me how to take pass sets," Slater continued about his older brother, R.J., who played offensive line at the Air Force Academy. "I just remember him sitting there working with me. He's like, 'This is what you do ... you set, you strike.'
"My parents, always there to pick me up when I'm down, always encouraging me. Same with my sister and my younger brother," Slater added. "Without them, I wouldn't be here so it meant everything that they could be here with me for that."
Slater also said Monday that he wasn't even sure he could make it to the NFL while he was in college.
A first-round pick in 2021, he's since developed into one of the league's best tackles as he has two Pro Bowls and a Second-Team All-Pro honor on his resumé.
He was elite in 2024 as he posted an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 91.1, a mark that ranked second among all offensive tackles.
He also posted a 90.4 pass-blocking grade, which ranked third among tackles. And his 82.8 run-blocking grade ranked fifth among players in his position group.
With a new extension in hand, Slater said it's full steam ahead on the 2025 season.
"I've just been focused on training and the season. I got so many goals for myself and for this team," Slater said.
The 26-year-old missed practice for the past week but was back out there Monday, although he only did individual drills.
Slater said he's been working through "a really bad blister" on his right foot that popped up before camp started.
"They had to kind of carve it out so there was a pretty big hole on my foot. It's been healing up," Slater said. "I went out the first couple of days to practice but it just didn't feel good. It's had a lot of time to heal now though, so I'm feeling a lot better."
He added: [Tuesday] I'm going to be able to do a little bit more and just ramp it up."
With the Chargers now 39 days away from their 2025 season opener against the Chiefs in Brazil, they have now locked up one of their most important players for the long haul.
It's a win-win for both Slater and the Chargers.
"I think we're miles ahead of where we were last year at this time," Slater said. "Definitely a lot more comfortable with the scheme and the technique and things like that.
"I think we've been looking really good. Got the young guys working good too, seen some really good things," Slater added. "I like where we're at, just keep building."
