JQ Drops a Trotter Bomb

This would be great news if it turned out true, but also could mean the coaching staff and FO are NUTZ!

;-)

Forecast: A Bucs Rookie Better Than Rueben Bain Jr.?

Now for the first time in Cover 4 history we are going to talk about a forecast that is not my own. On the most recent episode of the Rondé Barber Show, the Bucs Hall of Famer said something that was quite eye-opening.

To be clear, Barber is not saying he believes Trotter is/will be the best player from this Bucs rookie class. Similarly, it is not my forecast that he will be either. But after watching a whole summer of practices, and a limited slate of preseason games, Barber has been told by people inside the Bucs organization that they believe Trotter will be the best player from this class.

We at Pewter Report get the same sense from the team. And in case you forgot, this is the same rookie class that includes Rueben Bain Jr., who the Bucs were over the moon to select with the 15th overall pick.

This is incredibly high praise for a 21-year-old who had legitimate warts coming out of Missouri. Keep in mind Trotter was the third linebacker taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, following Sonny Styles to Washington in the first round and Jacob Rodriguez to Miami just a few spots before him in the second.

Trotter’s physical skills are impressive. And his early preseason work was encouraging. The Bucs have a long history of developing premier linebackers. Derrick Brooks and Lavonte David were each at or near the top of the league during their respective careers. It would appear general manager Jason Licht, head coach Todd Bowles and the rest of the organization believe they may be on to another one.