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Big Test In First NFL Game For Josiah Trotter September 10th, 2026Sort of lost in the Baker Mayfield contract extension is that in three days, the Bucs will face Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the Bengals in Cincinnati to open the 2026 season for both clubs. And for anyone who had watched the Bucs in training camp practice, or heard Todd Bowles rave about the player, it was just a matter of time before the Bucs announced rookie inside linebacker Josiah Trotter would start Week 1. Bowles acted like a proud father when asked about Trotter yesterday. “He had a heck of a preseason,” Bowles said. “He came in and he played ball. “Not only just playing ball, he’s very intelligent. He understood the scheme and he rarely made mistakes. “When you get that kind of ball player that puts it all together that early, you couldn’t deny him from playing.” Bowles had predicted that Trotter, who was pretty invisible in underwear football, would make his presence felt once the pads came on. Boy, did he ever. Trotter just has something about him that appears contagious. He’s nasty, he’s ornery, he’s very physical, he constantly barks at the offense between plays, he’s exactly what the soft, quitting Bucs defense needed. But now, he’s no longer defending Blake Shapen or mouthy, overrated midget Diego Pavia. In his first at-bat in the NFL, Trotter will be facing no less than Joe Burrow. Joe would be very surprised if Burrow doesn’t target the rookie out of Missouri. Just about everyone, including Joe, figure Burrow, Chase and Higgins will be testing the Bucs’ corners. But the more Joe thinks about it, the Bengals coach Zac Taylor might be crafting plays to get Chase or Higgins matched up on Trotter. Bucs inside linebacker Alex Anzalone noted that Trotter will be fine so long as he plays on a level plain. “I think that the biggest thing for him is consistency,” Anzalone said. “We do have a defense that does put a lot on a guy like him. “At the linebacker position we do different things and he’s stepped up to the plate, and now we just have to see where he takes it. Now the real fun starts.” Mayfield spoke about how much he’s looking forward to the season getting underway with so many newcomers, Trotter among them. “I’ve mentioned him a lot,” Mayfield said. “He’s an animal – I’m looking forward to seeing what he does.” Aren’t we all.