Bills give Olympic gold medalist chance in NFL

The Bills have undergone a lot of change this offseason, so when it comes to rebuilding their roster, they have been open to anything.

That remained true on Friday when ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced Buffalo was signing Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant college wrestlers in NCAA history. To make room for Steveson on the roster, the team released punter Matt Haack.

Steveson is signing the standard rookie three-year deal and is expected to play defensive line, which he hasn’t done before during his athletic career. According to Schefter’s report, the first time Steveson ever put on a pair of cleats was at a recent workout for the Bills.

However, head coach Sean McDermott, who has a championship high school wrestling background, believes Steveson has the potential to make an impact.

The 24-year-old has already accomplished a lot as an athlete. 

He was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner, the Heisman Trophy of college wrestling. He also won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Steveson seems up for the challenge that the NFL will bring.

“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 via Schefter. “I am grateful to Coach (Sean) McDermott, (general manager) Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills organization for giving me this opportunity.”

Buffalo was not the only team to show interest in the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Steveson, but the Bills have a great track record of getting the most out of defensive tackles with similar statures.

This isn’t to say Steveson will have an immediate impact on day one, but he’ll have a chance to make the team this summer and try to join Bob Hayes as the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal.