Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has opened up about his dual focus this offseason: preparing for the arrival of his first child with wife Hailee Steinfeld while recovering from a significant foot injury. The revelation comes just weeks after the Bills suffered a heartbreaking playoff elimination that continues to weigh on the star player.
From Playoff Heartbreak to Personal Milestone
The Bills' postseason dreams ended earlier this month with a dramatic 33-30 overtime defeat to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round. While Allen won't be preparing for the Super Bowl this February, he's turning his attention toward what he describes as the most important role of his life.
'This is the most important thing I'll ever be in my life - is being a dad,' Allen stated during Thursday's press conference to introduce new head coach Joe Brady. 'I love being a football player, and I love being a quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, but I'm looking forward to this one.'
Preparing for Parenthood
Allen and Steinfeld announced in December that they're expecting their first child together, less than a year after their wedding. When asked about preparations for the due date, Allen admitted the couple was planning 'to the best of our abilities' while keeping the exact arrival date private.
'I've known this for well in advance,' Allen told reporters via Sports Illustrated. 'I have siblings that have kids, I've got a lot of friends who have kids, I don't know if you can plan too far in advance. I'm very much looking forward to that with my wife, becoming a dad. It's something that I will take with great pride, and it's something that we're going to figure out as we go, like everything else.'
Injury Recovery Timeline
Allen also revealed significant details about his physical condition, confirming he underwent surgery for a broken bone in his right foot. The quarterback appeared at Thursday's event using crutches and wearing a protective boot, disclosing that he originally suffered the injury on December 21 during Buffalo's 23-20 victory at the Cleveland Browns.
The injury occurred to the fifth metatarsal in his foot during the first half of that game, yet Allen remarkably played through the pain for the remainder of the regular season. Despite the significant setback, the quarterback expressed confidence about his recovery timeline.
Allen expects to be at 100 percent by the start of spring practices, providing optimism for Bills fans concerned about his availability for the 2025 season.
Reflecting on What Could Have Been
The press conference also gave Allen an opportunity to reflect on the season's disappointing conclusion. The quarterback didn't shy away from taking personal responsibility for the playoff defeat that ultimately led to organizational changes, including the firing of head coach Sean McDermott.
'If I make one more play, that game in Denver, we're probably not having this press conference right now,' Allen admitted. 'We're probably not making a change. In all honesty, we're probably getting ready to play another game. I'd be lying to you if I didn't say I was still sick to my stomach about how the season ended.'
Supporting the Coaching Transition
Despite his injury and personal preparations, Allen remained actively involved in the Bills' coaching search process. The quarterback participated in interviews during a six-day period where Buffalo considered nine candidates before ultimately selecting Joe Brady as their new head coach.
Allen's presence at Brady's introductory news conference demonstrated his commitment to the franchise's future, even as he balances football responsibilities with impending fatherhood and physical rehabilitation.
The coming months will see Allen navigating multiple transitions simultaneously: recovering from surgery, adjusting to a new head coach, and preparing for life as a first-time father. His candid comments reveal a player embracing both professional challenges and personal growth during a pivotal offseason period.
