The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought Alex Anzalone to Tampa Bay to provide veteran leadership and stability in the middle of Todd Bowles' defense. Six games into the 2026 season, however, rookie Josiah Trotter is making a compelling case that the responsibility of wearing the green dot should eventually belong to him. The question is whether the Buccaneers should accelerate that transition rather than wait for it to happen naturally. Trotter has quickly become one of Tampa Bay's most productive defensive players. Entering Week 6, the rookie had recorded 37 tackles in just four appearances, along with a sack and an interception returned for a touchdown. His 72.9 overall PFF grade ranked 13th among 72 qualifying linebackers, an impressive start for a player still
learning the complexities of an NFL defense.Against Pittsburgh, Trotter added another 12 tackles while playing 75 defensive snaps. Anzalone played the same number of snaps but finished with just three tackles. More concerning is Anzalone's season tackle rate of 8.4%, the lowest among ever -down linebackers tracked in Mike Woellert's Week 6 analysis. Production alone does not determine who should wear the green dot. That responsibility involves receiving defensive calls, communicating adjustments, identifying offensive formations, and ensuring teammates are properly aligned before the snap. Bowles operates one of the NFL's more demanding defensive systems, particularly in the frequency of his blitz packages and the disguise of his coverages. That complexity is precisely why Anzalone was entrusted with the role. Linebackers coach Larry Foote recently explained that Anzalone handling communication allows Trotter to concentrate on playing football. There is value in that arrangement, especially when the rookie is already producing at such a high level.Still, Trotter's understanding of the defense should not be overlooked. Bowles praised his intelligence during training camp, specifically pointing to how rarely he made mistakes. That recognition helped Trotter earn a starting job before his rookie season even began. The Buccaneers should begin preparing Trotter to take over communication duties, even if an immediate change is unnecessary. Giving him increased responsibility during practices and selected defensive situations would provide an opportunity to evaluate his command without sacrificing the stability Anzalone brings. Trotter has already established himself as a foundational piece of Tampa Bay's defense. The next step is determining whether he can become its voice. With the Buccaneers sitting at 1-5, developing leadership should be a priority rather than something to postpone until next season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Should Trotter have the green dot over Anzalone?
