Josiah Trotter Quietly Growing Into A Monster
October 28th, 2026
Making a statement early in his rookie season.
Remember when folks wrung their hands and whined for months that Josiah Trotter couldn’t defend the pass?
Joe is beginning to think the Bucs have the next great Bucs defensive player in a long line of defensive players on their hands.
While Joe has been fixated on KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles, the crappy record, the garbage passing game and then rejoicing in the rebirth of the Bucs and the rebirth of the defense, a rebirth of sacks as a weapon and a rebirth of playoff chances, a monster is growing in the background.
That’s Trotter.
The rookie blasted onto the NFL scene in his first game at Cincinnati with a pick-six and a sack, the first NFL player to do that in his very first game.
When Joe watched Derrick Brooks retire, Joe never thought another Brooks would be seen. A couple of years later, here comes Lavonte David who tied Brooks in career tackles.
Joe never thought another Lavonte David would come around. And now, here comes Trotter.
Per the Bucs, no Bucs defender has had more tackles through his first five games than Trotter. Not Brooks, not David, not even Devin White, who in his first two seasons was a complete terror on the field.
In fact, only four other defenders in NFL history have more tackles in their first five games than Trotter. That’s the impact he is making. The Bucs defense wouldn’t be as good as it is without Trotter’s impact.
Joe is getting the feeling the Bucs found themselves a very special player.
Josiah Trotter #45 is a playing so fast. The confidence in his movement is evident – he is trusting what he's seeing pre-to-post snap…
Cool to watch for a rookie LB. Not an easy spot. pic.twitter.com/xdPwokpOdx
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) October 26, 2026
October 28th, 2026 at 9:09 am
Nothing quiet about this Jose. He is an absolute monster and if this continues will be in the All Pro conversation at Christmas.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Trotter just another sensational pick by Licht to rebuild defense. Hope the fire Licht crowd is paying attention.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Great pick. True building block player.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:23 am
He is a beast just like his dad
October 28th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Looking forward to Trot vs Bijan!
We really need Anazalone to step up against Atlanta; he started the season terribly slow. He’s a little better now, but he still hasn’t lived up to the hype. C’mon Alex!
October 28th, 2026 at 9:37 am
And to think he was the most disliked the Bucs made
October 28th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Trotter is reading the plays much faster than Anzalone. His shifting pre-snap shows he sees the field and plays much quicker than stuck in the mud Anzalone. LICHT nailed another great pick so far.
October 28th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Mea culpa.
I am surprised.
Trotter’s performance has been neck and neck with my preferred ILB, Anthony Hill, Jr. Hill has a few more tackles and a slightly higher snap percentage, but Trotter has racked up a couple of turnovers.
I still am concerned about the durability of Trotter’s knees after his college issues, but sports medicine technology may advance quickly enough to give him a long successful career – I hope so.
The Bucs still have a great need for over the long term for a young, very good coverage ILB to take Anzalone’s spot by 2028.
Carping having been carped, yes, score one for the Bucs draft team.
October 28th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Todd Bowles defense is improving every week. They have been keeping the Bucs in games. Finally, the offense is showing signs of life. There’s biggest challenge in their division is the Atlanta Falcons. Stopping their run game on Sunday will be the key for the Bucs walking off the field with a victory.
This is a make it or break game for the Bucs.
October 28th, 2026 at 10:32 am
Trotter isn’t Sir Vocea Dennis in coverage yet, though. The way Voss ran with Waller and blanketed him on that bomb that was a lucky throw was a thing of beauty. The Atlanta tight ends don’t stand a chance against Voss.
October 28th, 2026 at 10:42 am
trotter scott bain might be the next sapp brooks lynch/barber
October 28th, 2026 at 10:56 am
And due to pedigree he won’t fall off like white did.
I imagine adding a talent like Collins and another d lineman and you have something going forward.
October 28th, 2026 at 11:02 am
That was not man coverage and waller is like a wr trotter wouldnt have ran with him. Trotter making lots of tackles minimum impact plays since his debut game. On track for 4 sacks and 10 tfl not more than voss last year.
October 28th, 2026 at 11:47 am
I wanted CJ Allen. His stats are Ruben Bain-esque … almost non-existant.
Happy to be wrong.
October 28th, 2026 at 11:47 am
JOE don’t forget all the fans on this here site racking our ROH GM over the coals for drafting him.
October 28th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
Voss is the Bucs best linebacker. He does all the other things.
October 28th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
McBay, try harder dude. You’re not even a good troll.
October 28th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
I will admit I was wrong about Trotter. He’s looking like a great pick.
October 28th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
SVD has the performance to back up his status. Some people just want to hate.