Ahead of a high-stakes NFL playoff showdown, an old social media post has resurfaced to create a lighthearted stir, putting Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and his wife, actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, in an amusing spotlight.
The Viral Throwback Photo
The source of the buzz is a photo from February 2016, in which a then-teenage Hailee Steinfeld is seen enthusiastically celebrating the Denver Broncos. In the image, the Los Angeles native wears an orange Broncos jacket and strikes a celebratory pose. She shared the picture on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, "HELL YEAH BRONCOS!!!!" That year, quarterback Peyton Manning led Denver to a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
The timing of the photo's resurgence is particularly pointed, as Allen's Buffalo Bills are set to face the No. 1 seed Denver Broncos in the NFL's divisional playoff round on Saturday.
Social Media Reacts with Humour
The rediscovered photo quickly went viral, prompting a wave of humorous reactions from football fans online. One user on X quipped, "Well, this is awkward for Josh Allen," while another jokingly pleaded, "HAILEE DELETE THIS NOW!!!"
Some fans pointed out the added layer of intrigue, noting that current Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott were both part of the Carolina Panthers organization that lost to Denver in that very Super Bowl. A few hopeful Broncos supporters even re-shared the image, hoping it might jinx the Bills ahead of the critical game.
However, Steinfeld also found defenders who drew parallels to other celebrity NFL relationships. "It's literally no different than Swift when she cheered for the Eagles and now cheers for the Chiefs," one supporter wrote on Facebook, referencing pop star Taylor Swift's transition from Philadelphia Eagles fan to Kansas City Chiefs supporter after she began dating tight end Travis Kelce.
Josh Allen's Lighthearted Response
When confronted with the viral story, Josh Allen took it all in stride. CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson asked the Bills superstar about the photo during media availability. Wolfson later reported on X that Allen laughed off the situation.
"Asked Josh about this pic and he told me he had no idea it was floating around. Laughed and said she was probably paid to be there. And that he definitely wasn't going to bring it up at home," Wolfson wrote in her post on January 15, 2026.
Allen's own childhood fandom was also cited by fans as evidence that such allegiances change, with many recalling that the California-born quarterback grew up as a fan of the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the online fuss, Allen's affection for his wife was unmistakably clear just days earlier. While Steinfeld was absent from the Bills' wild-card playoff victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars to attend the Golden Globe Awards, Allen celebrated the win by posting a glamorous red-carpet photo of her to his Instagram Story, adorning it with heart-eye emojis.
The couple, who married in June 2025, are expecting their first child later this year, making the playful playoff storyline a minor subplot to their personal joy. As the football world focuses on Saturday's game, Allen's humorous dismissal of the 'controversy' suggests his focus remains squarely on the field.
