Todd Bowles: Players Are Following Josiah Trotter
August 14th, 2026
Miami Mauler rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain has the attention of every Bucs fan and observer everywhere, but at One Buc Palace, rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter may be more of an impact presence.
Joe had a 1-on-1 discussion with head coach Todd Bowles on Wednesday following Bucs-Jets practice in New Jersey, and Bowles noted how while Trotter is often running with the second team in practice, he’s having a major first-team impact. Players are following the rookie second-round pick.
“Just the toughness and the energy that [Trotter] plays with, his enthusiasm around the other guys — especially [Alex] Anzalone, he loves it,” Bowles said. “And the guys catch on to it, they take note and they follow suit.”
Joe suggested to Bowles that he appears more animated on the practice sidelines when Trotter is playing his physical brand of football. Bowles rejected that with a laugh, but added he is more fired up this season after the offseason changes/additions the team made.
“I’m always animated in practice (laughs). It’s just a matter of to what degree.” Bowles said.
“I’m excited. We’re teaching. We’re trying to get everybody on the same page at the same time. So, we’ve brought a lot of different energy in the building and it gives me a lot of energy.”
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August 14th, 2026 at 10:14 am
So name him starter, and be done with it.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:20 am
yes, go ahead and name him the starter. We all know and really really hope Dennis is now a starter in name only until after tonight. I think the true place for Dennis is ST, not LB
August 14th, 2026 at 10:42 am
Trotter is wearing the green dot, he’s going to play as long as he can handle that big responsibility because it’s not going to be because of a lack of physical talent.
August 14th, 2026 at 10:47 am
i like this approach…in the past, players were gifted first team reps…im sure everyone inside OBP including SVD know Trot is the starter…keep that carrot in front of the horse
glad to hear Bowles appears to be “more animated”…hopefully that sparks a sense of urgency that the team can feed off of all year
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 14th, 2026 at 10:59 am
Going nerd….
Anyone a fan of the MCU? Theory of alternate universes?
In an alternate universe Todd is actually a really good coach whose biggest fault is undeserved loyalty. Finally, after last year’s collapse Todd finally says “F*** you guys. I’m not giving up my job for you”. Then he cleans house for a true set of Avengers.
I mean, it can happen, right?
August 14th, 2026 at 10:59 am
He appears to be working hard. Might be a good pick.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:07 am
Todd sitting on white hot seat is what has him semi motivated.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
August 14th, 2026 at 10:42 am
Trotter is wearing the green dot
____________________
It’s training camp. Probably a dozen players currently have a green dot.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Todd outing himself again.
If the guys have low energy, Todd has low energy. Go figure.
Maybe the HC and DC should be able to give the guys energy, get them motivated.
His idea of giving them energy was have a ton of walk through practices to keep em fresh. How did that work out?
And people wonder why fans don’t like his cigar store Indian routine on the sideline.
August 14th, 2026 at 11:30 am
“It’s training camp. Probably a dozen players currently have a green dot.”
We don’t have a dozen ILBs on the roster for it to be probable that a dozen players are wearing the green dot. Never saw or heard of Bowles ever using his safeties to wear the mic at any of his NFL stops.
It’ll probably be Anzalone getting the first nod being the vet, but he’s going to be a “MOE” Linebacker next to Trotter/Dennis/Rozeboom as the “MIKE”. Trotter wore the MIKE at MIZZOU and he was only there for a year, so the football IQ is documented.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
He will start Week 1 guys. Calm down.
This is just a way for him to acclimate and learn the defense with less pressure.
I guarantee he starts week 1.
Relax guys. Dennis knows the defense already. Alex doesn’t either.
It’s good we have 1 experienced MLB with the 1st team right now.
It benefits Trotter, Alex and the whole 1st and 2nd team defenses.
I think it’s also great Trotter is alongside Rozeboom on the 2nd team. He’s a very experienced starter in the NFL.
Go Bucs!
August 14th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
The naysayers need to realize, Bowles is elite at developing talent and getting the most out of his players. He didn’t earn his genius reputation by being soft.
Tonight’s game is a true test.
August 14th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
I’d rather have Trotter who doesn’t know this defense than SVD who supposedly does know this defense
August 14th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Good comment Teacherman.
Makes perfect sense, nothing to see here.
As long as Dennis gets lots of preseason reps and is riding some pine week 1, we are on the right track.
August 14th, 2026 at 1:12 pm
An old-fashioned downhill thumper in a passing league. Didn’t Bowles say the same thing about KJ Britt? SVD was supposed to be great last year coming out of camp but we saw how that worked out. So I’m tempering my enthusiasm. I think Trotter will be good but he may struggle early in the season in coverage.
August 14th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Football 1 … ‘I think the true place for Dennis is ST, not LB’.
I keep wondering how many guys we can keep on the team who aren’t really decent backups in any position group but play respectable Special Teams. You’re right in that SVD is better suited for S/Ts, but so is Hayes (CB) IMO. Plus we’ve brought on Miles Killebrew (a purported Safety) to be the ‘coach on the field’ for our S/Ts group.
I’m all for guys playing S/Ts while they’re ‘learning’ a particular position group, but they have to ultimately show some decent skills on offense or defense. Other than that, they hit the 4-year point in their career, and they don’t get re-signed. And we’ll have wasted a lot of snaps in the meantime (and probably watched a lot of bad plays when they did have to go in as a substitute because of injuries).
August 14th, 2026 at 2:16 pm
Teacherman … ‘I think it’s also great Trotter is alongside Rozeboom on the 2nd team. He’s a very experienced starter in the NFL.’
I hadn’t put 2-and-2 together like that, but you’re spot on. Put SVD with one newcomer ILB, and Trot with the other. Probably makes it a tad bit easier on Alex who’s not only learning Bowles’ defense, but also calling plays.
I agree with you that Trotter will start the season at MLB, but will he be calling the plays or will Anzalone? Bowles could potentially have FOUR rookies on the field at the same time (Trotter, Bain, Scott & Capehart) which could be a real challenge for any defense unless they’re all really up-to-speed.