“We have to start from zero”

Teaching a player how to play football isn’t typically part of an NFL defensive coordinator’s job description, but it’s a task that has been assigned to new Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich and his team regarding Gable Steveson.

The team injected more championship pedigree into its locker room last week by signing the 24-year-old to a three-year rookie contract. Steveson’s resume didn’t manifest itself in the form of a Super Bowl ring, but rather an Olympic gold medal; The dominant amateur wrestler won gold in men’s freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo 2020 Games, complementing his accolades with a dominant college career at the University of Minnesota during which he compiled an 85-2 record. He placed first in his weight class at the NCAA Division 1 National Wrestling Championships during his junior and senior seasons.

His athleticism and strength are objective and, in theory, would translate well to the field…but in theory, for now, that’s where the possibility remains. Steveson has never played football at any level, with the Bills hoping his intangible profile and habits he picked up throughout his amateur wrestling career will translate to the NFL and, more specifically, the starting position. defensive tackle.

Babich spoke to reporters about Steveson before an OTA practice Tuesday at One Bills Drive, saying the former Golden Gopher is a work in progress.

Related: Bills GM praises Olympic gold medalist’s traits: He was ‘worth it’

“I think there’s no question, we know our head coach’s background and his passion for this sport,” Babich said. “Obviously, Gable’s career speaks for itself, but we have to start from scratch. We have to start from scratch. Obviously there are some, whether you want to call it physical tools, athletic traits, I hope they translate for him.

“To get back to it, start from scratch. Let’s start with the small details of the position and see where it goes from there. You never know how quickly they can learn until they start somewhere and okay, he’s taken the first step. Then it moves to the second stage, and how quickly that happens depends on how quickly you move forward in this coaching trajectory and add elements.

Steveson’s signing stems from head coach Sean McDermott’s well-documented passion for amateur wrestling; A high school wrestler himself, the secondary boss has long spoken openly about his adoration of the sport and the qualities it engenders in his competitors. He will be directly involved in Steveson’s development alongside the rest of the coaching staff; the veteran coach was already spotted working with the rookie after Tuesday’s practice.