Commanders dismiss tight ends coach following DWI arrest
Commanders fired tight ends coach Ben Steele following DWI arrest; Wes Welker assumes interim role.
Event / Sports
Washington Commanders Coach Firing
Washington Commanders fired newly hired tight ends coach Ben Steele on July 28, 2025, following his June arrest for driving while intoxicated in Virginia. Steele faced misdemeanor charges for DWI, refusing a breath test, and resisting an officer. The firing violated team policy and created coaching staff disruption before training camp.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Jul, 02:17 UTC
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What happened
Washington Commanders fired tight ends coach Ben Steele
The Washington Commanders fired tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday, July 28, 2025. Steele was hired by the team in February 2025 and had previously served as tight ends coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2023 to 2025. The firing came after Steele was arrested on June 7, 2025, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Virginia and for violating team policy.
Wes Welker assumes interim tight ends coaching duties
Offensive assistant Wes Welker took over as interim tight ends coach for the Washington Commanders after Ben Steele was placed on leave. Welker coached the tight ends during the mandatory minicamp in June 2025. The Commanders were expected to name a permanent replacement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
Ben Steele arrested for driving while intoxicated in Virginia
Ben Steele was arrested on June 7, 2025, in Virginia on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was pulled over for changing course without signaling. Steele faces three class 1 misdemeanor charges: driving while intoxicated, refusing a blood/breath test, and obstruction/resisting an officer without force. He was released shortly after arrest with an arraignment scheduled for July 16, 2025, and next court date set for August 13, 2025.
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