Teair Tart has made his presence felt on the Chargers defensive line since arriving mid-training camp last season.

The veteran defensive lineman has continued to grow in role over his time in powder blue and is now one of the starters along the defensive trenches in 2025.

Chargers.com recently caught up with Tart ahead of Week 3 on what's allowed him to grow and what makes the defensive line a strong suit on the team.

Here's our 1-on-1 conversation with Tart:

Thank you for your time, Teair. The team is being tested right out the gate with three division games to start the season. How important has the defensive messaging been to start off hot in 2025?

"It was extremely important because you want to send a message early. You want to send a message early, make them one dimensional, which I think we did a really good job of. We did really good stopping the run and I think we did a really good job with [Patrick] Mahomes. You kind of want to make them one dimensional and it limits their playbook."

Your role has continued to grow since getting here with the team last year. How would you sum up what this time with the Chargers has meant to you?

"It's been positive, informative and I appreciate it. I appreciate the opportunity they gave me last year and I appreciate the opportunity they're giving me now to continue to go out there now and prove myself."

You talked a few months ago about getting a whole offseason in this defense. Where have you seen the biggest areas for you in this defense?

"I think it's just consistency, that's something I think I'm building on. Consistency, being focused, clear-headed, level-minded. I think those are some things I put a big focus on this offseason just having a better understanding of the playbook and stuff I wanted to put an emphasis on. All those things I'm continuing to strive to the max."

What about your role here with this defense has allowed you to thrive and continue to grow?

"My role is whatever the coaches need me to be. I always like to think of myself as the ultimate team guy and whatever the coaches need me to do, that's what I'm willing to do."

Joining up with Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, what are the areas he's helped you the most that's allowed you to continue growing?

"I feel like just being positive and never letting me settle, which is a great thing. Just being a position influence. Coach Minter is the type of guy everybody loves being around. He's charismatic, a joy to be around and an extremely intelligent guy. Definitely someone I'm really thankful that I get to be around."

Defensive line coach Mike Elston has also been someone who gets mentioned a lot. What has he done that has made this position a strong suit on the team?

"Keeping us all together and keeping us as a unit. Coach Elston is a guy of habits and I feel like he's somebody that's really structured and has expectations for the group and for himself. I think he's doing everything in his power to hold us accountable so we can get there."

There's a good mix in the position room of vets and younger players. Do you try to take some leadership responsibility in that room, or how would you describe your approach in the room?

"My approach is if anybody has any information or any questions, I'm always more than happy to answer. I can give them my point of view, my perspective on the topic. I'm never the type of person to gatekeep, keep information from people. Anybody needs any information on something like, 'How do I do this?' or 'How do I see this?' I'm more than willing to help them go through and explain it. I believe that only way we get what we want is if everybody gets that they want. I'm more than willing to help the whole entire group."

Last question. You guys came into this year with clear goals to improve as a defense. In a couple of words, what do you think is most important to get there?

" I think having consistency and a want to."