“I See More Derrick Brooks In Him”
July 1st, 2026
Rookie Bucs linebacker Josiah Trotter.
So it seems Bucs rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter was trained by the best straight-line linebacker in the history of football.
That would be his dad, Jeremiah. That’s the take from Jeremiah Trotter’s former Eagles teammate Ian Beckles, who also started seven seasons at guard for Tampa Bay and is a renowned Bucs analyst based in Tampa.
Beckles has watched some film on Josiah Trotter, he explained on The Jay Recher Podcast, and left thinking the 21-year-old inside linebacker does not play like his pops.
“I’ve never seen this in a player where [Jeremiah Trotter] never made a tackle outside the tackles,” Beckles said. “If you run inside the tackles, he’s going to run straight and blow up two-thirds of whatever’s in there. And that was his job, and he did it for a long time and he did it effectively. That’s not Mike Singletary. That’s not Ray Lewis. That’s not Luke Kuechly. But he did what he was doing amazingly, and Philadelphia was good because they knew what his strengths were.
“Josiah’s a different bird. Josiah, I see more Derrick Brooks in him. I see sideline-to-sideline, reading plays and being more instinctive.”
Joe hopes Beckles is right, but Joe sure would settle for Josiah Trotter playing like his four-time Pro Bowl dad. There’s still a place in the NFL for a relentless bone-crushing and sure tackler, especially if he’s playing alongside versatile Alex Anzalone.
July 1st, 2026 at 11:43 am
his floor is his dad and ceiling derrick brooks…i’ll take it lol
GO BUCS!!!!
July 1st, 2026 at 11:51 am
He’s not his dad, neither was his brother. He’s his own man, not his old man.
July 1st, 2026 at 11:54 am
Theres only one Derrick Brooks. But if he can play close to that, I’ll take it. Hes his own man and I’m looking forward to seeing him play. This defense, and team as a whole lacks elite speed. I’m rooting for him.
July 1st, 2026 at 12:01 pm
It would be fantastic if the hype is real. It’s never easy to say “I was wrong when I said I thought the Bucs should have picked CJ Allen instead”, but I honestly hope I’m saying that in short order. I hope this young man becomes a force to be reckoned with at LB with the Bucs.
July 1st, 2026 at 12:04 pm
JT has a huge bar…..being a 2nd round pick…..many have not turned out too well…..lets hope he is an anomaly.
July 1st, 2026 at 12:04 pm
I think right now all anyone can do is guess. I think it is unfair and fantasy to think, Bain , Trotter and Scott are going to be ALL Pro players one day1 of the season. Hopefully Trotter will start well for a rookie and develop quickly as the season goes on. I think comparing his play like anybody until the pads come on is a mistake. College football is a different animal than Pro. We see it all the time players are all world in college then it all changes at the Pro level. With that said he appears to be a promising upgrade that is sorely needed. I think he is an upgrade from Dennis on day 1 and frankly, I don’t think he could be any worse that is for sure. I see Trotter starting slow and picking up ground as the season wears on. Anything above that will be gravy to be sure
July 1st, 2026 at 1:01 pm
Bart Scott
July 1st, 2026 at 1:38 pm
I wish him well. We would love to see Brooks’ passion on the field again through this young man.
The defense should show more character with the new infusion of players.
Let’s see if the Head Coach has done a self evaluation for his decision making last year. He lost the best WR in Buccaneer history and he lost the trust from some players in December. That most likely lost him the division.
I miss BA. He kept decision making simple.
July 1st, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Please. Under this coaching genis it will be fortunate if he plays like KJ Britt.
July 1st, 2026 at 1:57 pm
813:
When you say it like that I get all tingly for some reason.
July 1st, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Hasn’t even played a snap. High praise
July 1st, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Lacks elite speed? Every one of our corners runs in the 4.3s and Keionte Scott in the 4.2s. They are all very fast. Now our LINEBACKERS lacked elite speed- that’s for sure last year. Won’t be the case this year though.