Commanders part ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele
The Washington Commanders have parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele days before training camp opens, according to the team's announcement. The club said it would offer no further comment. Reports citing Virginia court records link the move to a June driving-under-the-influence arrest involving Steele.
Key Takeaways
- Washington announced it is parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele and will have no further comment.
- The news broke on the eve of training camp, roughly two days before the team's first practice.
- Reports citing Virginia public case records say Steele was arrested in early June on suspicion of driving under the influence and related charges.
- Steele joined the Commanders this offseason after three seasons as Arizona's tight ends coach.
- Former tight ends coach David Raih, now offensive pass game coordinator, could help with the group until a replacement is hired.
The Commanders' announcement, reported by NBC Sports, confirmed a staff change just as camp arrives. Head coach Dan Quinn is expected to face questions about the decision in his first training-camp press conference this week.
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What did the Commanders say about Ben Steele?
On Monday morning, the team posted a brief statement on its official X account: it is parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele and will have no further comment at this time.
Heavy.com noted that Steele's bio had already been removed from the Commanders' official website by the time that post went live. ESPN's John Keim called the timing unusual — an assistant-coach exit two days before camp begins.
NBC Sports pointed out that any staff move would raise questions for Quinn. The short, no-comment framing left little official detail for fans or media to work with beyond the fact of the separation itself.
Why are reports linking Ben Steele's exit to a DWI arrest?
The team did not publicly cite a reason. Separate reports, however, pointed to Virginia court records.
According to Heavy.com's review of Virginia public case records, Steele was arrested on June 7 for allegedly driving under the influence. The same report listed additional charges of resisting arrest, refusing a blood or breath test, and incorrectly changing course after signaling a lane change.
Hogs Haven, citing reporting from The Athletic's Nicki Jhabvala based on Virginia records, said Steele was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated on June 6 and faces an additional charge for refusing a field blood or breath test. The exact calendar date differs slightly across those accounts, but both describe an early-June alcohol-related traffic arrest in Virginia.
Neither NBC Sports' initial write-up nor the Commanders' statement mentioned the arrest. Until the organization comments further, the court-record reports remain the main public explanation circulating around the move.
Who is Ben Steele and what was his role in Washington?
Steele was hired by Washington this offseason. Heavy.com reported the hire date as March 2. He spent the previous three seasons as tight ends coach for the Arizona Cardinals.
In Arizona, Steele worked with Trey McBride, who developed into an NFL All-Pro selection. Heavy.com reported that under Steele's guidance, McBride was a two-time Pro Bowler in 2024 and 2025 and earned his first All-Pro nod in 2025 after setting the NFL single-season receptions record for tight ends with 126 catches for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns.
NBC Sports noted Steele's broader coaching résumé also includes stops with the Broncos, Vikings, Falcons, and Buccaneers. Heavy.com added that Steele played six seasons in the NFL and NFL Europe from 2001 to 2006, appearing with six NFL teams as well as the Frankfurt Galaxy.
Washington's previous tight ends coach, David Raih, was promoted to offensive pass game coordinator when David Blough became offensive coordinator, Hogs Haven reported. There is no assistant tight ends coach on staff, so Raih could help with the position group until the Commanders hire another coach.
How does this affect Commanders training camp?
Training camp is set to open this week without Steele on the staff. That creates an immediate practical question: who will coach the tight ends through early camp practices and install periods?
Hogs Haven framed the situation plainly — Washington needs a new tight ends coach. With Raih available as a bridge and no assistant TE coach listed, the short-term plan may rely on existing offensive staff until a full-time replacement is named.
The timing also puts the story squarely in Quinn's first camp media availability. Reporters are expected to ask why the team acted now, whether the June arrest prompted the decision, and how the TE room will be handled while a search continues.
Heavy.com also contextualized the roster stakes at the position. Washington signed free-agent tight end Chig Okonkwo in March on a reported three-year deal worth up to $30 million after a thin 2025 season at the spot. A new position coach arriving midstream — or temporary coverage from Raih — could shape how that group is coached in the opening weeks of camp.
For now, the confirmed facts are limited but clear: Ben Steele is out, the Commanders will not comment further, camp is days away, and reporting on Virginia records has put a June DWI-related arrest at the center of public discussion around the split.