The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially have all seven of their 2026 NFL Draft picks under contract after signing second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter to a four-year rookie deal Thursday.
Trotter’s signing marks the final piece of Tampa Bay’s rookie class to be finalized, allowing the Buccaneers to head into offseason workouts and training camp without any unresolved contract situations involving their draft selections. The former standout linebacker is expected to compete for immediate snaps in Tampa Bay’s defense as the Buccaneers continue adding youth and speed to the middle of the unit heading into the 2026 season.
Via the team’s website,Â
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on Thursday that they have signed rookie linebacker Josiah Trotter, which means the team’s entire seven-player class from the 2026 draft is now under contract. Trotter inked the standard four-year deal extended to all players selected in Rounds Two through Seven.”
The Buccaneers selected linebacker Josiah Trotter out of Missouri with the 46th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Tampa Bay has reshaped its off-ball linebacker group following the retirement of franchise legend Lavonte David, and Trotter is expected to compete for the starting MIKE linebacker role alongside veteran free-agent addition Alex Anzalone. Football runs deep in Trotter’s family, as he is the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL and briefly played for the Buccaneers during the 2007 season.
The Buccaneers began finalizing their 2026 rookie class earlier this month, signing five draft picks on May 7. That group included first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., fourth-round defensive back Keionte Scott, fifth-round defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart, fifth-round offensive guard Billy Schrauth and sixth-round tight end Bauer Sharp. One day later, the Buccaneers completed a deal with third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst, leaving only second-round linebacker Josiah Trotter unsigned at the time.
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
BucsReport.com
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com.
