Gable Steveson is transitioning to the NFL.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is signing with the Buffalo Bills, according to his agent Carter Chow. Schefter notes that, in doing so, Steveson will try to become the second Olympic gold medalist (after Bob Hayes) to win a Super Bowl.
Steveson commented on the move and expressed his excitement, per Schefter.
“I have been fortunate to compete at the highest level of competition in my sport but am looking forward to the challenge of seeing how my wrestling skills may translate to football,” Steveson said. “I am grateful to Coach (Sean) McDermott, (general manager) Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.”
Shefter writes that Steveson is expected to play defensive line. He notes that Steveson had never put on a pair of cleats before he had a workout for the Bills. Steveson signed a standard three-year rookie deal. It was noted that Steveson is viewed as a practice squad candidate, given his raw talent. Other teams were said to be interested in Steveson, but the Bills have a history of successfully developing defensive tackles.
The Bills then confirmed the signing:
Steveson won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics. He is a former world champion freestyle wrestler. He won two national titles during his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. Steveson signed with WWE in 2021 and made a few appearances on WWE programming. He had a brief run in NXT in 2023 and made his in-ring debut at NXT Great American Bash. WWE released him amid a round of cuts in May 2024.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
