Big Test In First NFL Game For Josiah Trotter
September 10th, 2026
Can’t wait.
Sort of lost in the Baker Mayfield contract extension is that in three days, the Bucs will face Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the Bengals in Cincinnati to open the 2026 season.
And for anyone who watched the Bucs in training camp or heard Todd Bowles rave about the player, it was just a matter of time before the Bucs announced rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter would start Week 1.
Bowles acted like a proud father when asked about Trotter yesterday.
“He had a heck of a preseason,” Bowles said. “He came in and he played ball.
“Not only just playing ball, he’s very intelligent. He understood the scheme and he rarely made mistakes.
“When you get that kind of ball player that puts it all together that early, you couldn’t deny him from playing.”
Bowles had predicted Trotter, who was pretty invisible in underwear football, would make his presence felt once the pads came on. Boy, did he ever.
Trotter just has something about him that appears contagious. He’s nasty, he’s ornery, he’s very physical, he constantly barks at the offense between plays. He’s exactly what the soft, quitting Bucs defense needed. But now, he’s no longer defending Blake Shapen or mouthy, overrated midget Diego Pavia.
In his first at-bat in the NFL, Trotter will be facing no less than Joe Burrow.
Joe would be very surprised if Burrow doesn’t target the rookie out of Missouri. Just about everyone, including Joe, figures Burrow, Chase and Higgins will be testing the Bucs’ corners.
But the more Joe thinks about it, Bengals coach Zac Taylor might be crafting plays to get Chase or Higgins matched up on Trotter.
Bucs inside linebacker Alex Anzalone noted that Trotter will be fine so long as he plays on a level plane.
“I think that the biggest thing for him is consistency,” Anzalone said. “We do have a defense that does put a lot on a guy like him.
“At the linebacker position we do different things and he’s stepped up to the plate, and now we just have to see where he takes it. Now the real fun starts.”
Mayfield spoke about how much he’s looking forward to the season getting underway with so many newcomers, Trotter among them.
“I’ve mentioned him a lot,” Mayfield said. “He’s an animal – I’m looking forward to seeing what he does.”
Aren’t we all.
September 10th, 2026 at 7:26 am
Thanks Joe for keeping us in football shape sanity-wise throughout the offseason. Now let the games begin!…
September 10th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Since the first picture I saw Joe post of Trot sporting a smile, I’ve always thought he reminds me of the late great Carl Weathers as the one and only Apollo Creed…CHEERS to Trot playing great and becoming a great player, GO BUCS!!!
September 10th, 2026 at 7:30 am
His head is going to be spinning!
September 10th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Just let him set the edge, and rush the passer. Wait on making him a cover corner for another day.
September 10th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Hodad. Really? Come on, man! Get your head in the game!
September 10th, 2026 at 7:55 am
With the departure of Hendrickson and the additions of Dexter Lawrence and Johnathan Allen, et al, the Bengals claim they’ve greatly improved from last year’s 30th ranked defense, but you never know.
Same goes with us—Trotter and Bain as rookies are tasked with turning the Bucs defense into a ferocious bunch, at least up front. It’s a damn big weight to be placed on the shoulders of two rookies. They’re gonna have to grow up in a hurry if you believe what you’ve read about our DB’s. Give Burrow an extra second and Chase has blown past them.
Burrow says he wants out if Cincy doesn’t turn things around, like now. Says he’s tired of always waiting for “next year.” It will be up to the Bucs to hasten his exit.
These early season games are tough to call. Starters rarely play in the preseason—by default, they’re rusty. Last night’s game in Seattle looked like the Rust Bowl. And Darnold getting injured after throwing two passes didn’t help much. Kind of a snooze fest.
The spread is Cincy giving 3.5, and the line hasn’t moved since it opened—means money is being bet near equally on both teams. For what it’s worth (not much), I see the Bucs winning or losing by as much as 10, but most likely it’s closer due to the early-season, lack of offensive chemistry on both sides. Still gotta cover Chase though. Bang him at the line pre-route. Do something, anything to slow this guy down. He’s that good.
Can’t wait!
September 10th, 2026 at 8:07 am
The picture does not match the description.
That’s diabolical.
September 10th, 2026 at 8:14 am
Bowles says Trotter put it all together early. Sunday we find out whether Joe Burrow is included in “all.”
September 10th, 2026 at 8:23 am
Talk about a trial by fire. That’s exactly what Cincy’s offense will be. Hopefully they can penetrate the OL and put a ton of pressure on Joe.
September 10th, 2026 at 8:25 am
I can’t wait to see what these young guys look like in a real game. There should be noticeable improvement overall but as they say, “That’s why they play the game!”
September 10th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Bowles will ask him to do other things. Queue the Barnum and Bailey circus music.
The clown car will be filled on Sunday.
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
September 10th, 2026 at 8:42 am
it will be a big test to play against an opponent in a real game as opposed to practice against your own team. chippy in training camp? chirpy camp bird? who cares.
lets see what he does, i hope he meets the sky high expectations that have been built up for him. i hope he can control his aggression and not get baited into penalties. hopefully that is something todd can coach if it happens.
September 10th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Draft scouts said Trots is a thumper against the run but vulnerable against the pass. Trot never stood out in the ‘worthless’ preseason games playing against 3rd teamers. Reading Joe’s notes, I never heard Trot making a play in coverage. Burrow will target RB Chase Brown against Trot with easy yards. I HOPE Trot isn’t a liability in coverage. Bucs 35 Bengals 33.
September 10th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Man i hope he lays the boom on somebody in the 1st quarter – set the tone early
September 10th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Pass Defense under Todd is ALWAYS a problem, expecting it to get better is borderline insanity
2025
Passing TD’s Allowed 30
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 27th
2024
Passing TD’s Allowed 27
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 26th
2023
Passing TD’s Allowed 23
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 29th
2022
Passing TD’s Allowed 29
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 9th
2021
Passing TD’s Allowed 26
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 21st
2020
Passing TD’s Allowed 29
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 21st
2019
Passing TD’s Allowed 30
Pass Yards Per Game Ranked 30th
September 10th, 2026 at 9:52 am
Seattle was without starting quarterback Donald for most of the game. Scoreless in the first half their defense was the difference maker against New England in the second half 😳
The Bucs defense will determine the Bucs season. The Bucs offense should be good if healthy.
September 10th, 2026 at 10:16 am
Unless they create some turnovers it will get ugly. Seen enough of Bowles defense to understand he hopes to get sacks or turnovers off of blitzes while playing bend don’t break coverage. Throw in the busted coverages and you get the same stuff as last year. Yes some games the blitz will be effective, just hope this is one of them
September 10th, 2026 at 10:19 am
Hodad is so busy trying to play trolls, she can’t even keep up with which player she’s trying troll about.