Josiah Trotter Is Both Brains And Brawn
September 20th, 2026
Preparation pays off big for rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter.
Just by the way Bucs rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter played in his NFL debut in Cincinnati last week, he can hang physically with the big boys of the NFL.
However, from what Joe has heard, including from Trotter himself, his success with 10 tackles, a sack and a pick-six was a result of homework and using his noggin. Trotter told Joe in the postgame locker room that he had practiced defending the pass from Joe Burrow that eventually led to the pick-six.
But Joe was also speaking with Ted Hurst in the Bucs locker room this week and Hurst told Joe that Trotter may have called his own shot; Trotter was expecting Burrow to call the play he picked and housed.
“I actually saw Trotter on the sidelines making adjustments,” Hurst told Joe. “‘Oh, he’s going to go right here,'” Hurst said he heard Trotter talking about Burrow.
“That was great seeing him make that adjustment and make the play of the game,” Hurst said. “Practice matters. The looks we get in practice and the attention to detail will [play out] in the game.
“Once you get your opportunity, you just make a play.”
And not only was Trotter prepped and ready, he also executed the play perfectly. So it appears that not only is Trotter a beastly physical player, he’s got the smarts, too.
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September 20th, 2026 at 1:22 am
Yep, i knew it with the last name when i first started scouting him. I think the problem with others not piling on was his lack of college time.
September 20th, 2026 at 1:37 am
Bowles told him. We know it.
September 20th, 2026 at 4:01 am
Some people here watched the game and claimed he wasn’t good…I just don’t get that.
September 20th, 2026 at 5:24 am
Bonzai … I don’t get it either. Bain & Scott both played like rookies. Trotter played like he’d been in the league for years.
September 20th, 2026 at 6:02 am
Wow! Does he have the green dot yet? If he can read the offense and alert the defense to what is coming, that would be a huge advantage!!
September 20th, 2026 at 6:33 am
2nd round draft pick, did we just get another Lavonte David?
September 20th, 2026 at 6:39 am
Trotter had a heck of a game. That’s a good thing. Let’s play a few more games before we put him in the hall of fame. Overall, the BUCS were very disappointing.
September 20th, 2026 at 7:19 am
Sounds like Todd coached him up well to make that play.
September 20th, 2026 at 7:29 am
Yeah I would’ve considered drafting him but I was just iffy on it because he was dealing with injuries & we’ve got enough players that are hurt a bunch. That’s why I probably would’ve passed on Morrison, too! Especially with those type of injuries. I would’ve had more faith in drafting Josiah over Benjamin.
September 20th, 2026 at 8:31 am
How did CJ Allen do last week. Most people wanted the Bucs to draft him instead.
September 20th, 2026 at 8:41 am
The last time I checked, Trot Sr. had the Philly defense humming in the late 90’s, early two-thousands. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. No surprise here.
September 20th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Trotter had the best week of all the LB. Allen didn’t even play.
September 20th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Rodriguez did ok tho. I wouldn’t have minded trading some (ok, a LOT) of picky to end up with Rodriguez AND Trotter
September 20th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Too bad Todd Bowles has no brains
September 20th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Would not be shocked to hear Josiah was getting film breakdowns with his dad before he lost all his baby teeth. Looking forward to see if he can build on his first game and help contribute to holding that Browns offense at bay in The Bay.
September 20th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Difference in rodriguez game and the game trotter had was consistency. Rodriguez was consistently good Trotter actually only made 3 good plays but had more poor plays. People were calling him bust for almost 3 quarters on this site. He made the splash plays at opportune times which saved his performance. Any objective person could see that
September 20th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Todd told him to defend a spot of grass. Trotter took it upon himself to make a play on the player and the ball, like he should be taught. Todd had nothing to do with it. WRs were running between our statues defending their spot of grass all afternoon. The problem with our middle is not the players, it’s the coaching. Watch some tape. It’s obvious. It’s a static zone with no match up. Simple for the opposing QB.
September 20th, 2026 at 10:18 am
JRod is a lot older than Josiah Trotter
Me personally, l wouldn’t draft these older rookies
Josiah Trotter was the Bucs pick all along
They scouted him, brought him in for interview
Then they drafted him
We have Trotter, Morrison, Bain, Parrish on defense
Young guys that can grow together and become successful
That is with the correct coaching
September 20th, 2026 at 11:36 am
^and Keonte
September 20th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
I do hope all this hype on Trotter is real I did witness some missed tackles by him before his sack and interception. The kid has got to play consistent every game. We will see.
September 20th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
Looking forward to see what he does now that coaches of other teams are aware of him. Great game last week but let’s see how he does this weeks an so on