Josiah Trotter, the Bucs' second-round draft pick, remains unsigned as the team negotiates his rookie contract. Currently, Trotter's situation mirrors that of last year's second-round pick, Benjamin Morrison, who also faced delays until other draftees signed their contracts. The primary contention in negotiations is the percentage of guaranteed money, with recent contracts establishing new benchmarks that Trotter's camp is likely aiming to exceed. The delay in signing hinges on picks 41 through 45 clearing contracts first, establishing a market for Trotter to negotiate from.

By the Numbers
  • C.J. Allen (pick 53) signed with 83.67% guarantee.
  • Terrance Ferguson (pick 46) signed with 82.8% guarantee last year.
  • Trotter's expected contract guarantee is projected between 88% to 91%.
Yes, But

While Trotter’s leverage increases with recent contract trends, the Bucs may be hesitant to set the market significantly by meeting his demands early. There’s a possibility that teams with picks above Trotter could sign for less, affecting his potential guaranteed percentage.

State of Play
  • Six of seven Bucs draft picks are signed; only Trotter is remaining.
  • Negotiations are stalled pending the results of contracts for picks 41-45.
  • Similar delays occurred last year for Morrison until July.
What's Next

Expect Trotter to sign his contract in late June or July after other second-round picks establish contractual benchmarks. The negotiations will likely serve as a reference point for determining Trotter's total and Year 4 guarantees.

Bottom Line

Josiah Trotter's rookie contract negotiations exemplify the evolving landscape of NFL rookie deals, where guaranteed money is pivotal. The future signing is contingent on market conditions from other picks, potentially delaying his contract until mid-summer.