Josiah Trotter Fulfills Lifelong Dream Today
September 13th, 2026
Ready for next step.
The Bucs will likely start three rookies on defense. All are heavy hitters, physical players.
You have Rueben Bain at outside linebacker, Josiah Trotter at inside linebacker and Keionte Scott at nickel. If those two can play to their potential, the Bucs’ defense should be better, and maybe even good.
Joe spoke with Trotter this week and asked him how he will try not to be distracted by the fact he will reach his childhood dream this afternoon along the Ohio River.
“I’m blessed to be in this position, my first NFL game,” Trotter said. “It’s something you dream of and think of your whole life.”
KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles has been Trotter’s biggest fan, it seems. Trotter seemed invisible during underwear football and Bowles kept saying wait till the pads come on, you’ll notice Trotter.
Boy was he right.
Unlike many wannabe NFL players who look dynamite in underwear football but vanish when the pads came on, Trotter was the exact opposite..
“It is kind of how I was raised to play this game,” Trotter said.
In other words, Trotter was built for today.
“No doubt,” he said. “My dad raised us for this.”
Trotter, the son of Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter, said he remembers as a little kid his dad bringing him to the Eagles facility. That’s where the younger Trotter’s football DNA began percolating.
The rookie was a damn fine, physical linebacker at Missouri. Today, it’s the big leagues. Joe Burrow is across the line of scrimmage. And Joe has a hunch the Bengals will pick on Trotter to set up a mismatch with Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins in Trotter’s zone.
So Joe asked Trotter what he has to do in order to have a solid NFL debut.
“Just trust the talent I was blessed with,” Trotter said. “Have fun. Play fast. Trust my instincts and just know that at the end of the day it is just football.
“It may be the highest level, but it’s football.”
If Trotter can stay physical and avoid big mistakes, and the Bucs can pull out a win, that will be a successful debut.
September 13th, 2026 at 3:49 am
Joe!!! Happy Sunday!! The fan base is asking for betting with the bucs!!
September 13th, 2026 at 3:55 am
Joe … ‘In Joe’s mind, if Trotter can put Burrow on his back and the Bucs can pull out a win, that will be a successful debut for Trotter.’
Got a hunch that Burrow will be throwing a lot of short & intermediate stuff today because the Bucs’ pass rush will preclude him having tons of time to hit the deep ball. So Trotter & Anzalone will very likely get a LOT of work in the passing game.
Can’t wait to see how Bowles uses his new toys. I’m really hoping that our run defense literally shuts Cincy down & forces them to be one-dimensional so that Bowles can turn the dogs loose. Really want to see us predominately use 4 & 5 man pass rushes, and sack Burrow at least 4-5 times. Not convinced Trot will get one of those, but fantastic if he does.
Still looking for a Bucs’ win someplace around 27-21.
September 13th, 2026 at 6:39 am
there should be some sacking going on today if this defense is for real. no excuses.
September 13th, 2026 at 6:44 am
@DR, perfectly said. I feel the exact same way. I also see “…a lot of short & intermediate stuff today because the Bucs’ pass rush will preclude him having tons of time to hit the deep ball.”
In addition, the Bucs sucked at stopping the short passes last year. So Burrow will have to test that until the Bucs prove they can stop it.
And I am with you DR. I hope Bowles is happy with the pressure he puts on Burrow using only a 4 or 5 man rush. That would be a good sign to begin a new season. That would be a statement to the Bucs having a good defense.
I too, would love to see Trotter get a sack, but to me, what would be even better is an INT by Trot.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:01 am
On the first passing play send Trotter through the A gap right into Burrow’s face.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:15 am
As a Mizzou guy give em hell Trotter! LFG Bucs!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 7:16 am
I’m still waiting to see who sits when Scott is on the field. Truly can’t wait to see what TB does with all the new toys.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Depending on a lot of rookies today on both sides of the ball. Bain, Trotter era begins. Of all the second round busts under Licht, this pick, Trotter has to be a home run in order for this defense to take off. I think he got this one right.
September 13th, 2026 at 7:51 am
He will be caught out of position and make more mistakes then he will make impact plays. And that’s ok. He’s a rookie and this is not a winnable game anyway. It’s like another preseason game to get live snaps. The season starts next week at home against the Browns where they might squeak out a win in spite of the Bowles incompetence. 0-1 on the way to 7-10.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:08 am
There’s no such thing as an unwinnable game in the NFL. Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Is He expected to be better than his brother?
September 13th, 2026 at 8:47 am
This is a very winnable game. The Bucs are simply better- in almost every aspect of this game. 31-17.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Un winnable? It’s the Bungles. 50-50.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:52 am
These 3 rookies will finally vindicate blitzing on 3rd and long one and for all…
September 13th, 2026 at 8:57 am
We had 2 ILB’s who shouldn’t have been on the field last year, THAT has been fixed
September 13th, 2026 at 9:01 am
SO: we draft 6 guys, THREE of them are defensive starters, and there’s a chance Hurst could be starting as WR#3, so 4 of 6 draftees are starters. And these people want to launch J.L.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:48 am
When u start 4 rookies at the beginning of the season it means you didn’t do a good enough job last year and the year before. JL does a decent job but the amount of 1st and 2nd round wifs has been horrendous. And yes SVD looked a deer in the headlights and was in NO capacity a starting NFL linebacker. Personally I’m really looking forward to seeing Anzalone and Trotter light some dudes up. Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Unfortunately, his dream will end in the Todd Bowles experience.
In 4 years he will be out of the NFL
September 13th, 2026 at 10:06 am
Bucs 36, Bengals 49.
September 13th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Don’t let us down Josiah,we”re counting on you!No pressure lol
September 13th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Let’s just hope that he has learned enough about offensive line blocking patterns….and does not get caught up in the eye candy that offensive coordinators like to display before the snap..otherwise this dream will become a nightmare really quick…
September 13th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
JOE and co just be ready. These rookies are just that. They will make rook mistakes and that’s ok. Trail by fire for these guys. I can all ready hear the haters calling all 3 busts if they don’t get sacks , picks or miss a tackle. But who cares what the haters think or even say I’m glad we drafted them. Let’s goo Bucs
September 13th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Touchdown #45! Way to go rookie! First pick six of the year for the Bucs! Trotters first NFL pick 6!! Congrats to you!!!