Josh Allen ‘Didn’t React Too Great’ to Birthday Surprise Before Wedding to Hailee Steinfeld

Josh Allen Reacts to Bills’ ‘Hard Knocks’ Spotlight Ahead of Hailee Steinfeld Wedding
By Oliver Salt | Updated: 16:30 BST, 16 July 2025

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen admitted he had mixed feelings when he learned on his 29th birthday that his team would be the focus of HBO’s Hard Knocks during their 2025 training camp. The NFL star, fresh off his May 31 wedding to actress Hailee Steinfeld, revealed the news initially caught him off guard.

“It was quite a surprise,” Allen told USA TODAY Sports. “Teams that make the playoffs usually aren’t part of that conversation. I probably didn’t react too great to it at first.” However, he acknowledged the show could offer fans a unique glimpse into the Bills’ camaraderie: “It’s a cool opportunity for people to see the great men on our team and the incredible women on our staff.”

Overcoming Playoff Heartbreak
The Bills, who fell short of the Super Bowl after a tense AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last season, are no strangers to high stakes. Allen’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the team’s postseason struggles. Previously, NFL rules barred Hard Knocks from featuring playoff-qualifying teams, but owners relaxed the policy in 2024, paving the way for Buffalo’s spotlight.

Allen emphasized focus: “We can’t let [the show] distract us. The main thing is the main thing.”

A Birthday Surprise and a Wedding
The Hard Knocks announcement landed on Allen’s birthday (May 21), but celebrations continued when he married Steinfeld just over a week later. The couple exchanged vows at California’s luxurious San Ysidro Ranch, with exclusive DailyMail.com photos capturing Steinfeld’s aisle walk escorted by her father, her eyes locked on Allen.

[IMAGE: Allen and Steinfeld’s wedding kiss, caption: “The couple shared a kiss after saying ‘I do’ in front of family and friends.”]

Opting for a modern twist, Steinfeld wore white gloves and a veil, ditching the traditional bouquet. Allen, in a sharp black suit, flashed his new wedding band at Bills minicamp weeks later, calling the marriage “the most important decision I’ll ever make.”

MVP Momentum and Record Contract
The 28-year-old Marvel actress and the NFL MVP began dating in 2023, got engaged in November 2024, and have since become one of sports’ most-watched couples. Allen’s offseason also included a landmark $250 million contract extension, solidifying his status as Buffalo’s franchise cornerstone.

“Marrying my best friend made everything else easier,” Allen said, reflecting on his whirlwind year.

[IMAGE: Allen at practice, caption: “The QB showed off his wedding band during minicamp amid MVP celebrations.”]

With training camp—and Hard Knocks—approaching, Allen remains determined to keep the Bills’ Super Bowl ambitions front and center. Fans will soon see if reality TV fame fuels the team’s fire or adds pressure to their quest for a title.

Featured images: Getty, DailyMail.com
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