Bills Olympic Gold Medalist DT Trains With NFL Legend Aaron Donald

Making an NFL team just four months after lacing up a pair of cleats is an almost unthinkable task, but Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Gable Steveson is trying to make the impossible a reality.

If anyone were ever to accomplish that impossible feat, Steveson would seem like a strong contender. The 24-year-old, who signed a three-year deal with the Bills in late May, is one of the most decorated amateur wrestlers in recent memory, building an 85-2 collegiate record at the University of Minnesota while winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games (which were postponed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). His athleticism, fluidity and strength are evident, and the makings of a potentially dominant interior pass rusher are there.

The only problem? Steveson has never played football at any level.

The Bills were fortunate to land the athlete thanks to head coach Sean McDermott’s well-documented passion for amateur wrestling; the profile is there, and now it’s up to Buffalo’s coaching staff — and Steveson himself — to mold those traits into a player who can take the field. The former Olympian is putting in the work this offseason, working out at his alma mater with Golden Gophers defensive line coach Winston DeLattiboudere III.

Related: Bills Olympic gold medalist DT eager to ‘do the impossible’ in ‘unicorn situation’

While working out at the University of Minnesota, Steveson also crossed paths with NFL legend Aaron Donald, with the two being photographed together after a workout.

Buffalo hopes that it could turn Steveson into a tenth of the player Donald was, as the former Los Angeles Rams superstar is objectively one of, if not the greatest, defensive tackle in league history. He retired after the 2023 NFL season with 111 career sacks under his belt, earning eight All-Pro nods and three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards throughout his illustrious career.

Steveson will (most likely) never reach Donald’s heights, as few players in NFL history have reached similar heights; that said, there are some physical similarities between the two. They are both small interior defenders who possess immense strength and athleticism. If there is one player Steveson can model his game after, it is Donald.

Steveson has been praised by One Bills Drive executives since signing, including McDermott, general manager Brandon Beane and defensive end Von Miller who have praised his talent and work ethic. It will take hard work for Steveson to quickly learn the intricacies of the defensive tackle position and make Buffalo’s 53-man roster. Working out with one of the greatest players in NFL history isn’t a bad start.

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