Tag: buffalo bills

Former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson not signed to Buffalo Bills practice squad

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson’s next career move is in question after failing to be signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad.

On Tuesday, Steveson was cut from the Bills as the team trimmed down its roster to the NFL’s 53-man limit. He passed through waivers without being claimed by another team and was not signed to the Bills’ 16-player practice squad. Despite that, Bills general manager Brandon Beane said he hopes Steveson continues to pursue a career in football and did not rule out bringing him back to the team in the future.

With no prior experience in football, Steveson was a long shot to make the Bills roster. He played in three preseason games for the team this season. Beane said Steveson worked hard, had good football instincts, and got “a lot better” throughout training camp.

A former Olympic gold medalist and standout amateur wrestler at the University of Minnesota, Steveson signed with WWE in 2021 and was released by the company this May. His only televised pro wrestling match was a double countout against Baron Corbin at NXT Great American Bash 2023, with Steveson’s performance being poorly received by fans.

The 24-year-old Steveson was attempting to make the Bills as a defensive tackle. A spot on the practice squad would have allowed Steveson to continue practicing with the team while giving the Bills the option of promoting him to the active roster.

Former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson fails to make Buffalo Bills roster

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At least for the moment, former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson has come up short in his long-shot bid to make it in the NFL.

Steveson was waived by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday as the team cut down its roster to get to the 53-man limit. It remains to be seen whether he will end up part of the Bills’ practice squad. With no prior experience in football, it was unlikely that Steveson would make the team out of training camp. He was signed to the Bills as a defensive tackle in May.

“The #Bills are waiving DL Gable Steveson, source says,” NFL insider Mike Garafolo tweeted. “Former wrestler is a developmental prospect so this won’t be the end of the line for him, whether in Buffalo as a member of the practice squad or elsewhere.”

Steveson had never played football at any level prior to the three preseason games he appeared in for the Bills.

An Olympic gold medalist, Steveson was a star heavyweight amateur wrestler for the University of Minnesota. He signed with WWE in 2021 but only ever had one televised match, a poorly received showing against Baron Corbin at NXT Great American Bash 2023. Steveson was released from his WWE contract this May.

Former WWE wrestler Gable Steveson signs with NFL team

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following his release from WWE, Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson is pursuing a career in a new sport.

Steveson has signed a contract with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Friday. The deal is a standard three-year rookie contract. Steveson, who has no prior experience in football, will attempt to make it as a defensive tackle for the Bills.

“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.”

According to his agent, multiple NFL teams were interested in Steveson. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes that, due to his inexperience, Steveson could be a candidate for the Bills’ practice squad this season.

“The 6-foot-1, 275-pound Steveson is expected to play defensive line, something he hasn’t done before during his athletic career. In fact, the first time Steveson ever put on a pair of cleats was at a recent workout for the Bills,” Schefter wrote.

“But Bills head coach Sean McDermott — who has a championship high school wrestling background — wanted Steveson to play defensive line and he believes he has the potential it takes to make an impact. The Bills were impressed with his level of talent, but also know how raw he is, which makes him a potential ideal practice squad candidate in 2024.”

A standout amateur wrestler, Steveson won Olympic gold in 2021 and competed in college for the University of Minnesota. He’s following in the footsteps of fellow University of Minnesota legend and WWE star Brock Lesnar, who came up short in his attempt to make the Minnesota Vikings roster in 2004.

Steveson signed with WWE in 2021 but never took well to pro wrestling. He only had one televised match, going to a double countout against Baron Corbin at NXT Great American Bash 2023. His other WWE matches either took place at NXT house shows or were dark matches.

Dave Meltzer first reported on May 4 that Steveson had been released from his WWE contract. An NFL career is something Steveson has been considering since before he signed with WWE in 2021.