Every parent remembers their child’s first steps, first words and a whole lot of other “firsts.” In the same way, Bucs fans may remember a lot of “firsts” from the team’s 2026 rookie class out of Sunday’s overtime loss to the Steelers at Raymond James Stadium.

(OK, maybe not “in the same way.” It’s not a perfect metaphor, but you get it, right?)

Yes, the 26-19 loss to Pittsburgh was bitterly frustrating considering Tampa Bay led 13-3 at halftime and 16-3 heading into the fourth quarter. Not to mention, this was a loss that dropped the team to 1-5 on the year and 0-4 at home. But how about the contributions the Bucs got from those aforementioned rookies, who delivered a day of firsts?

It started early, with first-round pick Rueben Bain Jr. notching his first career pass defensed, which led right to an interception for defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson. That alone was a big moment for Bain, whose slow start has fueled plenty of discourse over the first month and a half of the season both locally and throughout the NFL Draft community.

But that wasn’t the last time Aaron Rodgers would hear from Bain on the afternoon. First, though, it was Bain’s fellow Miami Hurricane product, Keionte Scott, who came through with a first of his own. In the second quarter, Scott came flying in from Rodgers’ blind side on a blitz and took down the Steelers’ veteran quarterback for his first career sack.

Bucs CB Keionte Scott – Photo by: IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect

Scott can count himself fortunate that his first NFL sack was also a trophy sack, as it came against a four-time MVP, Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer in Rodgers. Those don’t come around all the time.

Then again, Bain followed suit two plays later. Scott’s former Miami teammate-turned-Bucs teammate got to Rodgers in a collapsing pocket for his first career sack. The No. 15 overall pick in the 2026 Draft beat Pittsburgh tight end Darnell Washington on an inside move and finally got his first quarterback capture.

It had to be a good feeling for Bain, who both had a slow start to the season and also dealt with injuries late in the preseason and into the regular season. With his first one out of the way, perhaps that’ll open the door for him to pick up some sacks in bunches over the coming weeks as the Bucs get going with a couple of NFC South games.

Scott and Bain were the ones to get major “firsts” on the Bucs defense, but there were a couple of big milestones that others hit. Inside linebacker Josiah Trotter, Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in 2026, finished the day with 11 tackles. With his fifth tackle of the day, he passed future Bucs Ring of Honor member Lavonte David (41 in 2012) and Kendell Beckwith Jr. (41 in 2017) for the most tackles by a Buc through their first five career games since at least 2000.

Trotter also got to share a moment with Rodgers, a player he grew up idolizing, with the game broadcast appearing to catch Rodgers telling the rookie that he knows his dad. Jeremiah Trotter Sr., of course, crossed paths with Rodgers back when the now-42-year-old quarterback was still new in the league.

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers and Bucs ILB Josiah Trotter – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

And while David Walker isn’t officially a rookie in 2026, this is his first season on the field after missing all of his rookie year in 2025 with an injury. So, add the 2025 fourth-round pick’s first career multi-sack game to the list of “firsts” for the Tampa Bay defense while we’re at it. Why not?

It wasn’t all defense as far as firsts go, though. Tight end Bauer Sharp, a sixth-round pick back in April, recorded his first NFL reception in the third quarter. Just after fellow rookie Jalon Daniels scrambled for a first down, Sharp got good separation and hauled in a 21-yard catch to keep the chains moving.

Firsts For Bucs Rookies Feel Hollow With The “First” They’re Still Chasing

The Bucs’ 2026 rookie class got to experience a collective first 10 days ago when Tampa Bay beat Dallas, 24-16, on Thursday Night Football. That was the newcomers’ first win in the NFL, and it also happened to be their first primetime win. However, even with all the “firsts” they racked up in Sunday’s 26-19 loss, there may still be a hollow feeling among the group considering another “first” they’re all still chasing.

With a fourth loss in four games at Raymond James Stadium this season, these Bucs rookies are still looking for their first victory in front of the home fans.

And considering the fact that Tampa Bay has let four one-score games slip through its fingers in its home stadium this season, it’s been a frustrating pursuit of that elusive first home victory.

Bucs DB Keionte Scott – Photo by: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Protecting your home stadium is extremely important in the NFL, and the Bucs are doing a horrific job of that in 2026. At 0-4 already, they’ll have to win their remaining five home games to even finish above .500 at Raymond James Stadium this season. That’s not happening.

So, when will that first home win come? Tampa Bay’s next chance comes Nov. 1 when it hosts Atlanta in Week 8. After that? The team isn’t at home again until it hosts Carolina Nov. 30 on Monday Night Football. The rest of the home slate features the Los Angeles Chargers the following week, New Orleans on Dec. 20 and the Los Angeles Rams on the first weekend of the 2027 calendar year.

Bucs fans are already deciding to stay home on Sundays, as evidenced by Vikings, Packers and Steelers fans taking the stadium over – even more so than usual – over the last three home games. Drop to 0-5 at home with a loss to the Falcons in Week 8? You can bet there will be more and more empty seats down the stretch as this team limps to the finish line of what is shaping up to be a giant letdown of a season.

The Bucs badly need to give their home fans something in Week 8 when the Falcons come to town. With the emergence of Rueben Bain Jr. in Week 6 and the consistently promising play of Josiah Trotter, Ted Hurst III and Keionte Scott, the team’s rookies will seemingly be doing their part.

It’s just a shame that they’ve already had to wait this long for that first win at Ray Jay. Soon enough… Right???