Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is entering one of the most transformative periods of his life, as he prepares to welcome his first child with wife Hailee Steinfeld. While the NFL star is no stranger to high-pressure moments on the field, Allen admits that becoming a father is a challenge and responsibility unlike anything he has experienced before.
Allen’s 2025 NFL season came to a disappointing close earlier this month when the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs following a dramatic 33–30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. The defeat crushed Buffalo’s Super Bowl ambitions and left the team reflecting on what might have been. But as painful as the loss was, Allen says his focus has quickly shifted to something far more personal and meaningful.
With football temporarily taking a back seat, Allen is now concentrating on preparing for the arrival of his first child. He and Steinfeld announced in December that they were expecting, sharing the joyful news less than a year after tying the knot. Since then, anticipation has steadily grown, even as Allen pushed through the final stretch of the season.
Speaking this week during a press conference, Allen was asked whether he had begun planning his offseason around Steinfeld’s due date. He responded honestly, acknowledging that while preparation is important, parenthood comes with uncertainties that can’t always be scheduled or controlled.
Allen explained that he and his wife are doing everything they can to be ready, but he stopped short of revealing when the baby is due. He noted that while he has been aware of the timeline for some time, life has a way of unfolding on its own terms, especially when it comes to childbirth.
The quarterback shared that having siblings and close friends who are already parents has given him some insight into what lies ahead. Still, he admitted that no amount of secondhand experience can fully prepare someone for becoming a parent themselves. According to Allen, it’s a journey that requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to learn as you go.
Despite the uncertainty, Allen spoke with clear excitement about stepping into fatherhood. He described the prospect of becoming a dad as something he is genuinely looking forward to and said it’s a role he plans to take immense pride in. For Allen, the upcoming chapter represents growth not just as an athlete, but as a person.
While football has defined much of Allen’s adult life, he was candid about where his priorities now lie. He made it clear that, above championships and accolades, fatherhood stands as the most important role he will ever have. Although he loves being a quarterback and competing at the highest level of the sport, Allen emphasized that nothing compares to the responsibility and meaning of raising a child.
That perspective marks a significant emotional shift for a player often measured by wins, statistics, and postseason success. In Allen’s view, becoming a father brings a sense of purpose that transcends football entirely.
Alongside preparing for parenthood, Allen is also focused on his physical recovery after revealing that he recently underwent surgery on his right foot. The quarterback disclosed that he broke his fifth metatarsal on December 21 during a regular-season victory over the Cleveland Browns. Despite the injury, Allen continued to play through the pain for the remainder of the season, including the playoff loss to Denver.
At the press conference, Allen appeared on crutches and wore a protective boot as he detailed the injury and subsequent procedure. He expressed confidence in his recovery timeline, stating that he expects to be fully healthy by the time spring practices begin. While the injury was serious, Allen said it was manageable and ultimately something he felt he could push through in the heat of competition.
Allen’s presence at the Bills’ recent coaching announcement further underscored his leadership role within the organization. He attended the introductory press conference for new head coach Joe Brady, who was appointed after the team parted ways with Sean McDermott. Allen had been involved throughout the coaching search, sitting in on interviews during the six-day process in which Buffalo evaluated multiple candidates.
Despite embracing the future, Allen did not shy away from reflecting on the pain of the season’s abrupt end. He openly admitted that the playoff loss to the Broncos still weighs heavily on him. According to Allen, he believes that a single additional play could have changed the outcome of the game and, potentially, the direction of the franchise.
He suggested that had he executed one more decisive moment, Buffalo might still be playing, and the coaching change may never have occurred. The thought, he admitted, continues to trouble him deeply. Allen described feeling physically sick when thinking about how close the team came and how quickly everything unraveled.
Still, even as he processes those regrets, Allen appears grounded by the bigger picture unfolding in his personal life. The anticipation of becoming a father seems to provide balance and perspective during a period of professional transition and reflection.
For Allen and Steinfeld, the months ahead will bring a mix of new routines, sleepless nights, and emotional milestones. While Allen will eventually return his focus to football and preparing for the next NFL season, he has made it clear that fatherhood will now shape how he approaches every part of his life.
As he enters this new chapter, Allen is no longer just preparing for another season under center. He is preparing for a role that, in his own words, will define him more than any game ever could.
