CINCINNATI - Rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter became the first player in Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise history to return an interception for a touchdown in his NFL debut, anchoring a defensive effort in the team’s Week 1 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Trotter finished with a team-high 10 combined tackles, dropped quarterback Joe Burrow for a nine-yard loss on his first career sack and added the pick-six — making him the first NFL player to accomplish that debut feat since Detroit’s Brian Branch in 2023, excluding the 1987 strike season. Over the past 10 seasons, only two NFL linebackers have recorded a sack, an interception and five-plus tackles in their debut: Trotter and T.J. Watt, who did so on Sept. 10, 2017.
Kicker Chase McLaughlin converted a 51-yard field goal attempt, pushing his field goal percentage from 50-plus yards to 87.1% (27-of-31) since joining the Buccaneers in 2023. That mark is the highest in the NFL over that span among kickers with a minimum of 10 attempts.
Running back Bucky Irving scored his tenth career rushing touchdown on a 10-yard run, extending his lead among all members of the 2024 draft class. Quarterback Baker Mayfield surpassed Vinny Testaverde’s 1,126 completions to move into fourth place on the franchise’s all-time completions list.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka led the Buccaneers in receiving with 63 yards on five receptions. Rookie Ted Hurst III hauled in his first career reception and finished with 36 yards on three catches, all coming in the fourth quarter.
The Buccaneers return to Raymond James Stadium for their home opener in Week 2.