TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter to a four-year deal Thursday, completing contract work for the team’s entire seven-player 2026 draft class and filling a critical need at the position vacated by franchise legend Lavonte David’s retirement.
Trotter, selected 46th overall out of Missouri, will compete to start at the “MIKE” linebacker spot next to free agent acquisition Alex Anzalone. He is the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, including a three-game stint with the Buccaneers in 2007.
“He’s kind of an old-school Mike ‘backer with the toughness and physicality of it, but at the same time he still has enough athletic ability and range to play in today’s game,” said Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Biehl. “You don’t see his type of physicality in college that much anymore because it’s so much of a sideline-to-sideline game, a lot of lateral action, but he’s got that to him. Pair him with Rueben Bain, who we took [in Round One], and we got a lot more tough and physical on defense.”
Trotter played one season at Mizzou after starting his collegiate career at West Virginia. In 2025, he led the SEC with 84 tackles, earning first-team all-conference honors, and added 13.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one pass defensed and seven quarterback hits. At West Virginia in 2024, Trotter recorded 92 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, one interception, two passes defensed and five QB hits.
The Buccaneers previously signed five of their seven draftees — first-round outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr., fourth-round defensive back Keionte Scott, fifth-round defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart, fifth-round guard Billy Schrauth and sixth-round tight end Bauer Sharp — on May 7. Third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst signed the following day.
Tampa Bay now carries the maximum 91 players under contract heading into training camp, with rookie tackle Paul Rubelt holding a roster exemption as a product of the International Player Pathway program. Draft picks may participate in offseason workouts before signing but cannot report to training camp without a completed contract.