Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins expressed confidence that quarterback Josh Allen's new role as a father will be a catalyst for the team's pursuit of a Super Bowl victory, potentially by 2027.
"We're looking forward to seeing his dad strength," Dawkins told Page Six at the 2026 Espy Awards. "It'll come and we need it."
Allen, who welcomed his daughter Harper Haize with wife Hailee Steinfeld in April, is a player Dawkins admires for his performance on the field. "Josh is lit. He has a beautiful life. He motivates us because he plays hard. The kid is unstoppable. He does crazy things. What is there not to love about him? That's my quarterback."
Dawkins stated that the team is aiming high. "We're shooting for the stars," he said. "We have a lot of obstacles to go through but the first game of the season is camp. We got to have every guy present, every guy there to have a chance. I think we have a good shot."
Following the team's overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC divisional round, head coach Sean McDermott was dismissed in January after a nine-year tenure. Joe Brady, the former offensive coordinator, has been appointed as his replacement.
"We all love him. The energy is great, the energy is cool, he’s a young, hip guy," Dawkins commented on the coaching transition.
Dawkins also highlighted the rivalry with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs as a particularly anticipated matchup. "Favorite competitive game."
The Espy Awards, presented by ESPN, gathered numerous sports figures, including Jalen Brunson, Lindsey Vonn, and Bills teammate Damar Hamlin.
Allen, 30, and Steinfeld, 29, welcomed their daughter in April. Steinfeld announced her pregnancy in December, and the couple, married on May 31, 2025, shared their daughter's name in June. Steinfeld described their newborn in a Substack post as someone who, despite being present for a short time, feels as though she has "always been ours."
Buffalo Bills training camp is scheduled to commence on July 29, with Allen preparing for the upcoming NFL season.