The Washington Commanders parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday, cutting short a tenure that never even reached its first training-camp practice, after the club learned he had been arrested last month on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Steele, 48, was stopped by police in Loudoun County, Virginia, in the early hours of June 7, not far from the Commanders' training facility, and was arrested on charges that included driving while intoxicated, refusing to submit to a blood or breath test, obstructing or resisting an officer without force, and an improper lane change, according to Virginia court records cited by multiple US outlets.
Steele reported the arrest to the organisation himself, prompting the Commanders to place him on leave and inform the NFL league office, several reports said. He stayed on leave through the following weeks before the club decided to sever ties entirely on Monday, just before training camp opened for the 2026 season.
"We are parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele," the club said in a brief statement. "The team will have no further comment at this time."
The Israeli outlet ONE, in reporting the firing, framed the timing starkly: Steele arrived after last season ended only to be dismissed a day before the very camp he was hired to help run, never getting the chance to coach a single practice session with his position group.
Steele had joined Washington in late February as part of head coach Dan Quinn's offseason staff moves, brought in to replace David Raih, who was promoted to pass-game coordinator. Before that, he spent three seasons as tight ends coach of the Arizona Cardinals, where he was credited with helping develop Trey McBride into one of the NFL's most productive tight ends and an All-Pro selection.
The Commanders, who reached the NFC Championship game last season under Quinn, must now fill the position quickly, with the full roster set to report for training camp this week ahead of the 2026 campaign.
