Commanders fire tight ends coach Ben Steele after DWI arrest in Virginia

The Washington Commanders have fired tight ends coach Ben Steele following a DWI arrest last month.

The Commanders confirmed the news, stating they would be “parting ways” with Steele before his first season with the franchise ever begins.

“The team will have no further comment at this time,” the Commanders added to its statement on X.

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Arizona Cardinals tight ends coach Ben Steele watches from the sideline during a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 7, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. (IMAGN IMAGES)

Steele was arrested on charges of DWI last month, as The Athletic reported,he was placed on administrative leave after the Commanders were informed of the incident.

Steele is also facing charges for refusing a blood/breath test, obstructing or resisting an officer without force and changing course without signaling, per Virginia court records.

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The report also said Steele’s replacement is expected to be named on Tuesday, as the Commanders are set to begin training camp the following day.

Wes Welker, the former New England Patriots and Denver Broncos receiver, was the Commanders’ interim tight ends coach while Steele was on leave during the team’s minicamp this offseason.

Steele is a veteran tight ends coach, having served in the role with the Arizona Cardinals for the past three seasons before joining Dan Quinn’s staff in Washington before the start of this year.

Steele played the position before coaching it, seeing time with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans from 2004-06, though he was a part of camps with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings before that.

Arizona Cardinals tight ends coach Ben Steele watches from the sideline during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec. 7, 2025. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Steele’s coaching career started not long after his playing days ended, seeing time in college football before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff in 2014 as an offensive quality control coach. He was eventually promoted to tight ends coach in 2017.

He has also seen service with the Atlanta Falcons (2019-2020), Vikings (2021), and Broncos (2022).

It’s worth noting that his time with the Cardinals saw Colorado State product Trey McBride explode into one of the best tight ends in the game.

McBride racked up two Pro Bowls these past two seasons, collecting at least 1,100 yards in each, including a 1,239-yard season in 2025 with 11 touchdowns, which smashed his career high. McBride was a first-team All-Pro this past season.

The Commanders feature a new tight end in their building, signing Chig Okonkwo this offseason to bolster the group. John Bates and Ben Sinnott were featured at the position last season, which was a down year for Washington after reaching the NFC Championship Game the year before.

Arizona Cardinals tight ends coach Ben Steele oversees practice during the NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and Houston Texans on Nov. 19, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Icon Sportswire)

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Much of the team’s 5-12 record had to do with the injury to quarterback Jayden Daniels, who played just seven games. The Commanders are hoping to replicate the 12-5 season Daniels and company had in 2024, where he won Offensive Rookie of the Year.

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