Brenden Schooler got the call last Friday.

After showing out in his first game of a contract year, the special teams ace knew he didn't want to wait to start extension talks with the New England Patriots. He shared those feelings with his agent after a Week 1 win against the Cincinnati Bengals and kept playing hard to let Alex Campbell of AJAX Sports Agency take care of the details.

"After the Cincinnati game, I approached my agent and asked how he felt about initiating talks to see where the team was so we knew how to move forward," Schooler told Patriots.com after the Patriots' Week 5 matchup against the Houston Texans.

"Once he reached out, they were all for it. I stayed out of it and let my agent do his thing, but I got the call two days ago in the middle of meetings. I couldn't answer it, but the second meetings were over I was hustling to call him back. He said, 'Hey, do you want to stay in New England for another three years?' I ended up signing the paperwork around 3 p.m. that day."

Schooler didn't know when the deal would get done, but the timing ended up being perfect.

His parents, Tom and Christine, had flown in for the game, and after getting of the phone with Campbell, he called them to make sure they got to the stadium by the time we signed the new deal.

"It was really cool because my mom and dad came up for this game, and they obviously knew the conversations were happening, but they didn't know it was going to happen this week," Schooler said.

"Having them there in the room was pretty special when I signed the paperwork. We went out that night to celebrate and dinner was on me."

The contract extension, according to NFL media's Tom Pelissero, is worth $9 million with $3.6 million guaranteed and will keep him in New England for an additional three years. With incentives, he can reportedly make up to $10.5 million.

Having recorded six special teams tackles with a blocked punt so far this season, Schooler is proving to be a worthy investment on the field. Against Houston, he showed that even while double-teamed, the gunner is not easy for teams to block at the line of scrimmage.

"I would say that his work ethic is second to none – from the weight room, the film room, and the practice field," Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer told Patriots.com.

"The way he attacks each day and how he is always full pedal in every drill is really impressive. His competitiveness to be the best at his craft is on a different level. The amount of time he meets with Coach Quinn & Coach Slater to refine techniques and get the edge mentally / physically is what makes him successful on the field. His consistency daily to be the best at his position is unmatched."

His value is evident off the field as well.

Schooler was named the 2024 Ron Burton Community Service Award Winner – the Patriots' highest individual honor. On Tuesday evening, he was recognized as this year's honoree at the annual Legends Ball for his contributions to the Hockomock Area YMCA.

Just a third-year pro, he's already emerged as a leader in the locker room for the example he sets.

"His faith in God and how he approaches our team on a day-to-day basis instills love and confidence into our team," Springer said of Schooler.

"He is a teammate and leader and will say things when they are needed, but more importantly, he will show it through his actions. The locker room loves Schooler because he is as consistent as they come – and when you put the same consistency on film – you earn the respect of others."

With a new deal, Schooler feels confident in his potential with the Patriots. In continuing to grow with New England, he hopes to make everyone who poured into him proud.

"It's a huge honor," Schooler said.

"I'm very thankful to the Krafts and everyone who believed in me, everyone who helped me get to this point – I wouldn't be here without them. To see my hard work pay off and see that I have value for this team, I have a voice on this team, it only gives me more confidence moving forward that will help me develop more as a leader, a player, and a person. I can't thank everyone enough for giving me this opportunity to prove all those people right."

One of those people, of course, is Matthew Slater.

Long before Schooler sniffed the NFL, he and his father would watch the Patriots special teams legend, using Slater's career as a roadmap for Schooler to follow to catch on in the league himself.

After calling his parents, Slater was the first person Schooler celebrated his new contract with.

"I went right to (Slater's) office," Schooler shared. "He was ecstatic. We celebrated together. With him and his knowledge, his willingness to work with me and help me develop, he's been a huge reason why I'm still here. I can't think him, all the special teams coaches I've had, the group we have right now, I can't thank everybody enough. It's a true blessing."

A long way from his family and where he grew up, the 27-year-old found a new home in New England, where he'll remain for at least the foreseeable future.

"I think I bring value to this team, and when people acknowledge that and you feel wanted you don't want to leave for anywhere else," Schooler said.

"I have a great group of guys here, a great group of coaches, and I've immersed myself in the community. I see what New England is about. It's the people you're around that make the experience and I've seen that firsthand here."

Over the next few seasons, Springer believes the sky is the limit for Schooler.

"I truly believe that he will continue to strive for greatness," Springer said. "And in respect, will be one of the best special teamers to have ever played in the NFL.