Full Breakdown
Washington Commanders Dismiss Tight Ends Coach Ben Steele Amid DWI Arrest
7/28/2026, 1:09:12 PM
Immediate Action: Coach Fired Days Before Training Camp
The firing came just two days before the squad’s first practice of training camp, scheduled for July 29.
Background: Hiring and Staff Overhaul
Steele was hired in February 2026 to replace former tight ends coach David Raih, who was promoted to pass-game coordinator. Prior to joining Washington, Steele spent three seasons (2023-25) as the Arizona Cardinals’ tight ends coach, where he helped Trey McBride post back-to-back 1,100-plus-yard seasons. The hiring was part of a broader staff revamp after the Commanders finished 5-12 in the 2025 season and replaced offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury with first-time play-caller David Blough, as well as swapping defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. for Daronte Jones.
Legal Incident: June 7 DWI Arrest
On June 7, Loudoun County, Virginia deputies stopped Steele in Ashburn after observing him “change course after signal.” Virginia court records show Steele was charged with four class-1 misdemeanors:
1. Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
2. Refusing a blood or breath test
3. Obstructing/resisting an officer without force
4. Changing course after signaling
Steele was released on his own recognizance and later placed on administrative leave by the Commanders. His arraignment was continued on July 16, and a next court date is set for August 13.
Official Team Statement
The Commanders’ public communication offered no explanation beyond the brief statement quoted above. No further comment was provided by the organization or by head coach Dan Quinn at the time of the announcement.
Interim Coaching Coverage
During Steele’s leave, offensive assistant and former New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker assumed responsibility for the tight-ends unit at the mandatory minicamp held in early June. Welker’s interim role was confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Data & Statistics
- Age: 48 years
- Charges: Four class-1 misdemeanors (DWI, refusal of test, obstruction without force, change-course violation)
- Coaching tenure with Cardinals: 3 seasons (2023-25) as tight ends coach
- Previous NFL experience: Tight ends coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-18), Atlanta Falcons (2019-20), assistant offensive line coach for the Denver Broncos (2022) and Minnesota Vikings (2021)
- Playing career: Appeared in 17 games for the Green Bay Packers (2004-05) after going undrafted in 2001
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Reason for termination: The Commanders’ statement gave no rationale. The Athletic, cited by several outlets, reported the dismissal stemmed from a “violation of team policy.” Other reports simply noted the timing and the arrest without attributing causality.
- Team’s internal process: No public details have been released regarding whether the league was formally notified or what disciplinary procedures were followed beyond the leave and subsequent firing.
Verbatim Quote
- “According to Virginia court records, Steele was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated on June 7. He faces additional charges for refusing blood/breath test and obstructing or resisting an officer without force,” — The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala
What’s Next
The Commanders indicated that a replacement for the tight ends coach would be named on Tuesday, the day after the firing announcement. Training camp opens on July 29, with the first preseason game scheduled against the Miami Dolphins later in August in Landover, Maryland. The regular season begins on September 13 when Washington faces the Philadelphia Eagles.
