NFL Trade Rumors: Buffalo Bills Sign Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson

One of the greatest American wrestlers of all time is ready to embark on a grand experiment. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Buffalo Bills have signed Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA freestyle wrestling champion Gable Steveson to a three-year deal and intend to play him at defensive line.

Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant college wrestlers in NCAA history, is signing with the Bills, per his agent Carter Chow.

Steveson now will try to join Bob Hayes as the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal. pic.twitter.com/TfJn4Cd7B1
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 31, 2024

Steveson is best known for his finals win at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, a thrilling last-second victory over reigning world champion Geno Petriashvili. The win made Steveson the youngest ever super-heavyweight to win Olympic gold at only 21 years old. Competing everywhere from 220 to 285 pounds, Steveson dominated all throughout his amateur career, collecting gold medals at the junior and cadet levels on the way to his greater glories.

Steveson's life beyond that dramatic Olympic win hasn't been all roses. He experimented with professional wrestling, signing with the WWE way back in 2020 before being quietly released earlier this month after a single televised match. He was also arrested on suspicion of sexual misconduct in 2019. However, no charges were filed.

Steveson is a profoundly inexperienced football player, having never played the game at the competitive level. Still, he's only 24 years old, and his power and speed in close quarters can't be taught. Listed at 6'1", his frame and athletic ability recall explosive inside pass rushers like Aaron Donald and John Randle. Whether or not all that raw talent can be harnessed on the football field will be a fascinating subplot for the Bills in the coming months and years.

Athletes of Steveson's calibre and experience have found a home in the NFL before. Stephen Neal, a fellow two-time NCAA champion wrestler at super heavyweight, started 81 games at guard for the New England Patriots from 2002 to 2010, earning a Super Bowl ring in 2004.