Who is Lainey Wilson's Boyfriend? What Most People Get Wrong

Lainey Wilson is basically the queen of country music right now. You’ve seen the bell bottoms, heard the thick Louisiana drawl, and probably cried once or twice to "Heart Like a Truck." But for a long time, fans were scratching their heads wondering who exactly was keeping the seat warm next to her at home.

The mystery is over. Actually, it’s been over for a bit, but people are still catching up.

Lainey Wilson isn’t technically dating a "boyfriend" anymore because she’s officially engaged. The man in question is Devlin "Duck" Hodges. If you're a football fan, that name probably sounds familiar. If you aren't, you've likely seen the guy standing beside her on a red carpet looking like he stepped straight out of a western catalog.

The NFL Star Turned Real Estate Pro

Duck Hodges isn't just "Lainey's guy." He had a whole life in the spotlight before they ever met. Most folks know him as the former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was an undrafted free agent who stepped up in 2019 when Ben Roethlisberger went down with an injury.

He became a bit of a cult hero in Pittsburgh. People were wearing duck masks in the stands. It was a whole thing.

After his stint in the NFL, which included a stop with the Los Angeles Rams, he headed north to play for the Ottawa Redblacks in the Canadian Football League. He eventually hung up the cleats in April 2022. These days? He’s shifted gears into real estate. Honestly, it makes sense. He works with Myers Cobb Realtors now, focusing on land and farm properties. It’s a perfect fit for a guy who spends half his life in a hunting blind.

Why Do They Call Him "Duck"?

It's a valid question. You don't just get a nickname like that for no reason.

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Basically, it started back in his college days at Samford University. His coach, Chris Hatcher, told him he reminded him of a previous player who was also a champion duck caller. The name stuck. But here’s the kicker: Duck isn't just a casual hunter. He actually won the 2018 Alabama State Duck Calling Championship.

Lainey actually joked about this on The Bobby Bones Show. She mentioned that on their very first date, she tried to pull a fast one on him. She told him her friends called her "Goose."

He fell for it. For a while, he actually thought he was dating a girl named Goose. You can't make this stuff up.

The Secret Romance That Lasted Years

Social media makes us think we know everything about everyone. But Lainey and Duck are the masters of the "low-key" lifestyle. They started dating way back in 2021.

Think about that.

While Lainey was exploding into superstardom and winning every award under the sun, Duck was there in the background. They kept it under wraps for two whole years. People only started putting the pieces together in April 2023. Lainey performed a show in Pittsburgh—Duck’s old stomping grounds—wearing his #6 Steelers jersey.

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The internet went into a frenzy.

They finally made it "red carpet official" at the ACM Awards in May 2023. Seeing them together made total sense. They both have that grit and a shared love for the outdoors. Lainey has mentioned in interviews that Duck is her "best friend" and "biggest cheerleader." She even admitted that she wasn't really able to write love songs until she met him.

The Proposal and That Massive Ring

After years of fans (and even fellow stars like Bunnie XO) bugging them about when they’d get hitched, Duck finally popped the question.

It happened on February 12, 2025.

He chose a pretty legendary spot: the front porch of country icon George Jones’ former estate in Franklin, Tennessee. He decorated the place with red roses and candles. It was classic. Lainey announced it on Instagram with the caption "4x4xU forever," which is a nod to one of her hit songs.

The ring? It’s a beast. Experts from places like Brilliant Earth have estimated it's a multi-stone cluster setting, likely totaling between 5 to 7 carats. It’s valued somewhere in the $50,000 to $80,000 range. Duck even kept it on brand by presenting it in a cowboy hat-shaped ring box.

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When Is the Wedding?

If you're looking for a 2025 wedding date, don't hold your breath.

Lainey told PEOPLE in August 2025 that they are in absolutely no rush. She’s busy hosting the CMAs and touring the world. Duck is busy selling land and, well, hunting. During a November 2025 appearance on the Like a Farmer podcast, Duck mentioned they have three potential weekends picked out for spring or summer 2026.

They’ve also had to deal with some weirdness. In July 2025, a bunch of AI-generated photos started circulating that made it look like they’d already tied the knot. They had to go on TikTok to debunk it. Duck’s response was hilarious—he basically said if AI is going to fake their wedding photos, they should at least make them look better than they did in the renders.

What to Know About Their Future

• The Power Couple Status: They are becoming the "First Couple" of modern country, often seen coordinating outfits at the CMAs and ACMs.
• Career Support: Duck isn't intimidated by her fame. He’s often spotted in the wings of her shows or on the red carpet in a bolo tie and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Living Together: They’ve already settled into a farm outside of Nashville. Lainey joked that she "puts him to work" mowing the grass and taking out the trash.

If you’re following their journey, keep an eye out for mentions of "Goose" or "4x4xU." Those are the little breadcrumbs of their relationship. They’ve proven that you can be famous and still keep the most important parts of your life private until you're ready to share.

Expect to see a lot more of Duck Hodges in 2026 as the wedding bells finally start to get closer. For now, they’re just enjoying the "Whirlwind" of her career and the quiet moments on the farm.

Check out Lainey's latest tour dates or follow Duck's real estate listings if you want to see what the couple is up to in real-time. Just don't expect them to post every single detail of their lives on Instagram—they’ve gotten this far by keeping some things for themselves.