Rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter is emerging as leader of Bucs defense

Rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter, shown before a game against the Packers on Oct. 4, leads the Bucs in nearly every meaningful defensive statistic despite missing one game with an injury. ©Jefferee WooAlex Anzalone knows what it’s like lining up next to a rookie linebacker. Then there’s Josiah Trotter, who just refuses to play like one.Despite missing a game, Trotter leads the Bucs in nearly every meaningful defensive statistic. But the numbers only tell part of the story. What stands out to Anzalone is the energy, presence and relentless pursuit the second-round pick brings to every snap, the kind of impact that can make a first-year player feel like a veteran long before he has the experience to match.“I think the biggest thing I enjoy is just his energy and presence,” Anzalone said. “You can feel it on the field playing next to him. Having a rookie next to you isn’t necessarily always, you know, there’s a growth element that happens, and it’s not like I’m playing next to a veteran that’s telling me certain plays are coming and things of that nature.“But the best thing about him is I just feel his presence every run play, every pass play, and he’s trying to make the play. That’s his foundation, and that’s what makes him a great player.”Trotter missed the Week 3 game against Minnesota with a low-grade left shoulder sprain. Through four career games, he has played 215 defensive snaps. But he ranks first on the club in tackles (41) and passer rating allowed (66.4), is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (3) and interceptions (1), and is tied for second in sacks (1).“There are also other stats that go with that, that you want to be able to accumulate,” Trotter said. “But there’s other ways to impact the game as well. Definitely tackling. As a linebacker, that sort of drives you. Just make tackles. I missed some. When you’re able to lead the team in tackles, that’s what you want to do.”Bucs linebacker Josiah Trotter (45) and cornerback Jacob Parrish bring down Cowboys running back Javonte Williams last Thursday. Trotter leads the Bucs with 41 total tackles.It’s important to note that Trotter hasn’t mastered the complexities of a Todd Bowles defense. Watch him during any game, and he is bound to miss a run fit or two. But what makes him still effective is that the speed and ferocity he plays with allows him to make an impact even if he guesses wrong.“That’s what my dad says,” Trotter said of his father, Jeremiah, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, including one for the Bucs. “If you’re going to be able to make a mistake, just do it fast and do it physical. If you do that, that’s always going to erase a mistake, or if the whole defense is playing like that it’s going to erase mistakes like that. But just play free and do your job.”Sunday’s game against the Steelers will be a great test for the Bucs rushing defense, which ranks second in the NFL, allowing 72.8 yards per game. The Steelers offense runs through running back Jaylen Warren, who has 410 yards rushing, 230 yards receiving and two total touchdowns.“It’s the type of game that, as a linebacker, you want to be in,” Trotter said. “Every single game, you know the history they have. They want to come in and be bullies. This will probably be the best running back that we face all season now. Considering the QB that they have (Aaron Rodgers) that has played this long ...“It’s going to be a great matchup. A great offense going up against a great defense. We’re going to try and prove why we’re one of the top run defenses. We’ll just go and try to make that point and help our offense and get the ball back as much as we can.”Josiah Trotter returns an interception for a touchdown against the Bengals in September. “I think the biggest thing I enjoy is just his energy and presence,” fellow inside linebacker Alex Anzalone says.Rodgers, at 42, has seen every defensive front and coverage in the NFL. Though not as mobile as he once was, he still is among the best pure passers in the league.But Raymond James Stadium has been a bit of a house of horrors for Rodgers. Of his six career three-interception games, two were in Tampa. Though his career touchdown-to-interception ratio is 4:1, Rodgers has seven touchdowns and nine interceptions against the Bucs. His passer rating versus Tampa Bay is 79.4, his second worst only to Buffalo.“Aaron Rodgers, especially a guy that’s older, you’ve got to get him moving,” Trotter said. “You’ve got to get him off his spot. You can’t allow any great QB to sit back there like it’s 7-on-7 and let him just pick you apart. We’ve got to get him off his spot, and we can’t show him our picture right away. We can’t show our hand. At least make him see at the snap.”While Anzalone has improved the communication on defense each week, it has allowed Trotter to played even faster.“It’s a perfect match as far as Anzalone’s been around,” Bucs outside linebacker coach Larry Foote said. “He’s not shy, he talks, and that’s a good thing for a young guy like Trotter. He can just sit back, concentrate on his assignment, and as the years go he’s going to have to step over into that role. But it’s a perfect match. Anzalone can do all the communication, and he can just focus on football.”And leading the defense in nearly every category.Up nextvs. Steelers, 1 Sunday, Raymond James Stadium TV/radio: CBS; 97.9-FM• • •Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida.Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports.Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.