Derrick Brooks… Lavonte David… Josiah Trotter?
November 6th, 2026
Making a statement early in his rookie season.
Joe already wrote the following, but it is relevant to revisit for this here story.
When Derrick Brooks retired, Joe never imagined seeing another linebacker like him. Four years later, in came Lavonte David.
When David retired in March, Joe also thought of never seeing another linebacker like him.
This time it wasn’t four years. More like four months. Soon after David announced his retirement, here comes Josiah Trotter at inside linebacker.
Man, Joe is starting to think Trotter might be too much like David. Trotter is balling out as one of the best linebackers in the game and you hardly hear anything about it.
Trotter has as many tackles in his first seven games (62) as the great Luke Kuechly did. Trotter had more tackles (10) in his first game than Brooks (7).
On Sunday night, Trotter needs just 6 tackles to surpass David (67 in 2012) for the most tackles by a Bucs player through his first eight career games. With six tackles, Trotter will tie Devin Lloyd for most tackles by a player through their first eight career games since at least 2000.
And who will ever forget that Week 1 debut of Trotter who had a sack and a pick-six — so much for all the wannabe Mel Kipers who cried about Trotter’s alleged pass defense defect. Which PFF tribe clown started that shiiite? (When in doubt about how something stupid started in football, the PFF tribe is always a good place to begin.)
Trotter seems to have a perfect blend of heat-seeking-missile-like burst with a nasty physicality.
Joe hears a lot about how the Bucs corners are playing so well as a reason the Bucs have had a rebirth of strong defense. And the uptick in sacks for two games (finally!) made a difference. But the play of Alex Anzalone and especially Trotter have been major factors, as well.
This LB combo down in Tampa is a fun study… Trotter and Anzalone. Whew, these guys FLY downhill. Attack or be attacked! Watch WHERE they engage the OL on these 5 plays…
Rookie Trotter has impressive eyes/trust… Sees it and goes! pic.twitter.com/kzKtVC9MnP
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) November 5, 2026
November 6th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
I honestly wanted Jacob Rodriguez, but Trotter has been better!
November 6th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Thank you Mr. Licht!
November 6th, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Yes — for those wanting Rodriguez — he is 24 so should be physically and mentally more advanced than Trotter — yet Rodriguez already is credited with missing 10 tackles.
Trotter looks like the clearly better long-term pick. I would not be surprised if Rodriguez is only a special team player by 2030.
November 6th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
The dramatic improvement in LB play from last year’s squad to this season is key ingredient to our defensive success. Well done. Gold stars all around, top to bottom: from scouting to coaching to players.
November 6th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
Joes,
To me it seems that players where overloading to make up for others.
No disrespect but David and older players alike were slowing down. Winfield brings such false belief he’d protect anything on the back end, but he was getting stretched to far. When the corners have their own confidence they allow the safeties to help the turn over battle.
I think they’ve hit the sweet spot.
November 6th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Only thing I heard about trott was that he was a thumper coming out of college and that hit me excited. Tackling has bin so bad and we really havnt had a thumper since the first rd of whitehead coming to the Bucs. What did know is his pops was a beast and I enjoyed watching him play. When his 1st son came out I was wishing Bucs got him but it seems like we deff picked the right son. Gunna need him to step his game up against da bears.
November 6th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
He’s so fun to watch. Only going to get better. Can’t wait to see his year two jump!
November 6th, 2026 at 11:10 pm
Under the radar, Dennis 8 has been making plays in the run game. There has been some plays where dennis, Anzalone and Trotter are in the game at the same time. Some have asked for the 4-3 defense. There you have it. Bowles is barring no stops. I like it. Dennis has not disappointed.
November 6th, 2026 at 11:45 pm
I have already seen him do some stuff that reminded me of Brooks. That is high praise. Especially for a rookie. Having Anzalone next ot him sure helps as well.
Go Bucs!