Josh Allen Breaks Down in Tears After Bills vs. Broncos Game

The NFL star's sombre reaction juxtaposes the sheer joy he displayed in his and his famous wife's pregnancy announcement video, which sparked a flurry of swoons online.

On January 17, 2026, the Buffalo Bills faced off against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Divisional Playoffs at Empower Field at Mile High in Colorado.

The result of the match, which saw the Bills emerge unsuccessful, prompted an emotional reaction from Josh Allen. While some expressed sorrow for the footballer, others were far less sympathetic…

Quarterback Crumbles After Crushing Defeat

In the wake of the Bills' crushing loss, Allen's visible anguish painted a poignant picture of a man shouldering the weight of dashed hopes and unrelenting expectations.

Photos and videos from the post-game press conference showed the quarterback crying, and at one point, burying his face in his hands and later standing solemnly at the podium, his voice trembling as he tried to speak.

Dressed in his full uniform and a knit team beanie, Allen looked down, sniffling, before gathering the strength to answer a reporter's question about how it felt to be in this position once again, given that the Bills' loss marks their elimination from the playoffs for "the seventh straight season."

"Uh, it's extremely difficult," he responded after a long, shaky sigh. "I feel like I let my teammates down tonight." His eyes, glassy and red-rimmed, never fully met the crowd of cameras before him.

The emotional press conference didn't end there. When asked what, specifically, had brought him to tears, Allen confessed, "Just missed opportunities throughout the game. It's been a long season. I hate how it ended. And, it's gonna stick with me for a long time."

His voice cracked as he delivered the final words, revealing the depth of his heartbreak, not just over the loss, but over what could have been.

Criticism and Sympathy Flood the Internet

The emotional footage quickly made its rounds on social media, prompting a wave of commentary that reflected a divided public. While many empathized with Allen's heartbreak, others responded with blunt criticism and even mockery. A netizen commented, "Here he goes [sic] grow up," while someone else echoed a similar sentiment, "No crying in football 🤦🏻‍♂️."

Yet another critic reiterated, "There's no crying in sports! 🙄," and a fellow naysayer insensitively penned, "What's the excuse for him this time 🤣."

Still, among the sea of opinions, there were those who rallied behind Allen with messages of compassion. "I feel so bad for him man [sic] 😭," wrote one supporter. Another, grappling with mixed feelings, shared, "That's sad to see. Love Josh. But I'm a broncos fan so I'm glad we won [sic]."

A more conflicted fan expressed regret, "I love Josh! Breaks my heart. And now that Bo is out of the Championship game, I wish my Broncos had lost so Josh could play."

And in a comment that perhaps encapsulated the lingering sting of the game's conclusion, someone simply noted, "Catch. Absolutely robbed once again."

Just Weeks Ago, He Was Glowing with Joy

The weight of Allen's grief stands in stark contrast to the joy he radiated merely a month prior. On December 13, 2025, the quarterback and his wife, actress Hailee Steinfeld, shared a heartwarming pregnancy announcement video on Instagram that had fans collectively swooning.

The intimate clip opens with Allen gently kissing Steinfeld's baby bump, his face glowing with tenderness and pride. The pair then embraces and shares a kiss, laughing and smiling as they pose in a snowy woodland clearing.

Dressed in matching black winter wear, Hailee Steinfeld dons a sweatshirt emblazoned with the word "MOTHER" repeatedly printed across it, a playful nod to her growing bump, which they both proudly showcased throughout the video.

The couple's uncontainable happiness spilled into every frame. In one moment, Josh Allen wraps his arms around Steinfeld from behind, both beaming from ear to ear. In another, they hold hands as they stand before a tiny snowman donning a red scarf — the final shot that left a lasting impression of warmth and familial bliss.

Comments Pour in as Clues Click Into Place

Steinfeld kept her caption simple, writing, "❤️." The quiet reveal triggered an immediate reaction online, with fans rushing to the comments section to celebrate the couple's news and their signature subtlety.

"About to be one good looking [sic] baby," one admirer wrote. Another added, "Your kid will be so damn gorgeus [sic]!" A third declared, "Kid might be superhuman tbh," while someone else gushed, "A legend in the making."

Was the Governors Awards Gown a Clue All Along?

Some followers quickly connected the reveal to Steinfeld's look at the 16th Governors Awards on November 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. At the time, she wore a flowing, semi-sheer dark gown with layered fabric that drew attention.

Now, viewed in hindsight, it may have held a hidden message. "This explains the outfit," one fan commented. Another wrote, "She WAS hiding a baby under that dress!!! SO HAPPY FOR THEM!"

Private Romance Unfolds on a Public Stage

For the most part, Steinfeld and Allen have kept their relationship private, but the few moments they do share tend to make headlines.

Steinfeld rose to fame with her Oscar-nominated role in "True Grit," and went on to star in "The Edge of Seventeen," "Sinners," "Hawkeye," and voice Gwen Stacy in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."

Allen, who has been with the Buffalo Bills since 2018, remains one of the NFL's standout quarterbacks and now, a father-to-be. While this baby news is making headlines, the couple was already lighting up social media two months ago with a rare public appearance.

As we previously reported, the lovebirds turned heads on Saturday, November 22, 2025, when they stepped out together for Allen's jersey retirement ceremony at the University of Wyoming, but it was the unfiltered glimpse into their relationship that set social media ablaze.

In a TikTok video and a carousel of photos from Instagram, Allen and Steinfeld are seen sitting close, smiling warmly at one another, both in University of Wyoming gear. The brief show of affection — rare from the private pair — triggered a flood of reactions online.

On TikTok, one fan gushed, "Travis and Taylor could never beat these two!!❤️🐃" referencing fellow celebrity couple Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift. Another added, "A normal couple, looking normal and actually in love instead of PR," while a third wrote, "what [sic] a lucky girl 💔."

Meanwhile, Instagrammers offered their own mix of praise and curiosity. A supporter said, "The cutest 😍," while another posted, "They are such a cute couple!!❤️❤️💐🌸✨✨." Someone else remarked, "Love them❤️❤️."

Others simply rejoiced, "So happy for them, cutest couple 💓💓💓." However, another observant viewer speculated, "her round face. hmmm. baby on board?❤️ [sic]."

But not everyone was on board. A more cautious commenter pushed back, "Omg tje people saying she is pregnant. You don't know if she's suffering from pcos or another thing. When are we gonna learn not to ask that question [sic]."

A Timeline of Allen and Steinfeld's Relationship, Engagement, and Private Wedding

Allen and Steinfeld were first linked in spring 2023, but the couple stayed tight-lipped. For months, their relationship remained purely speculative until a jaw-dropping engagement post on November 22, 2024, made it official.

In a romantic joint Instagram post, Allen is pictured down on one knee beneath a rose-covered arch, candles flickering around them. The caption includes their engagement date and two infinity symbols, a quiet but powerful nod to forever.

Six months later, on May 31, 2025, the couple tied the knot in a private California ceremony. Steinfeld wore a strapless white gown, paired with a flowing tulle veil and opera gloves, her hair swept into a classic updo.

Though the ceremony was closed to the media at the time, it marked a turning point for a couple who had kept most of their relationship hidden, only going public with their first official post as a couple in July 2024.

A source close to the couple reportedly said their families "were thrilled" about Allen and Steinfeld leveling up their relationship, adding, "They've been head over heels from the start."

In Separate Interviews, Allen and Steinfeld Reflect on Love, Marriage, and What Comes Next

In an October 2025 interview with Marty Smith on NFL on ESPN, Allen offered a rare glimpse into his personal life. When Smith asked what the most fulfilling part of his life was, he simply said:

"My wife is an unbelievable, undeniable rock star in her work, in her life as a person. She's everything that I need in my life."

The Buffalo Bills quarterback didn't stop there. When the host asked what Steinfeld taught him, Allen replied, "Maybe that I am more than a football player."

He went on to reflect on how football had always been his childhood dream and sole focus, but acknowledged that, while he hopes to play for as long as physically possible, there is life beyond the game.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Bustle, Steinfeld reflected on the grounding presence the star athlete brings to her life. She said:

"That inner peace that you have, that rock, that solid, consistent part of your life is indescribable. I literally thank God every day that I found my person, and it’s the greatest thing in the world. Life makes sense. Everything makes sense."

She also shared that being with Allen has helped her grow into the person she always hoped to become. Additionally, when asked if she's thinking about having children, Steinfeld responded immediately, "Of course."