Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has gone through a whirlwind offseason, but is back to work on the 2026 season.
Allen and wife Hailee Steinfeld welcomed their first baby, a girl born earlier this month. While the couple has remained mostly quiet since her arrival, Allen made an appearance on Tuesday as the team officially kicked off its 2026 campaign.
Video Shows ‘Dad’ Josh Allen for the First Time
The Bills shared videos of players arriving for the optional OTAs this week, showing Allen arriving in a chilly Orchard Park to start practices. Allen wore sweatpants and flashed a thumbs up, giving a smile when a person behind the camera told him, “We missed you.”
Fans were excited to see Allen’s return, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the birth of his first child. The Bills quarterback has not been known to miss the team’s optional practices, though had not said for certain whether he would be participating after the expansion of his family.
Bills head coach Joe Brady had already hinted that Allen would participate in the practices, even amid his busy offseason
âWhen youâre Josh Allen, youâve got marketing. Youâve got stuff. Now youâve got family,” Brady said. “Iâm understanding that guys might not be able to be there every single day, every moment. But what I know is if Josh can, he will.”
Brady also credited Allen with helping him land the head coaching job after the team’s sudden ouster of Sean McDermott following a playoff loss to the Denver Broncos.
âIâm not sitting in this chair without Josh, right? Weâre in this together, and weâve got to hold each other accountable,” Brady said. “So I know how important that is for him, especially day one. Heâs going to be sitting in that chair, helping everybody else.â
Allen is coming off surgery for a foot injury that he suffered near the end of the regular season, leading him to play hurt during the final stretch of games and playoffs. Brady said he aims to keep Allen more protected in the coming season, noting that he has the quarterback’s career longevity in mind.
Josh Allen Has Yet to Share Baby Details
Allen and Steinfeld announced their baby girl’s arrival in a newsletter the actress shared earlier this month, sharing a brief statement that was short on details.
âSpecial delivery⦠Our baby girl has arrived!!â the couple wrote in a joint statement.
âWeâre feeling incredibly grateful and blessed and savouring these early moments. Thank you so much for the love and well wishes. Love, Hailee and Josh.â
They have not shared many more details since then, with no pictures of the baby or any hints about her name. Allen will likely speak to reporters at some point during the team’s optional practices, but has yet to release any statement on his own.
Allen did share his excitement about becoming a dad prior to the baby’s birth, however.
âThis is the most important thing I’ll ever be in my life, being a dad,â Allen said. âI love being a football player and being the quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, but I’m looking forward to this one.â
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bills QB Josh Allen Makes First Appearance Since Baby’s Birth appeared first on Heavy Sports.