Report: Commanders dismissed TE coach Ben Steele for violating team policy - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reported that the Washington Commanders have parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele shortly before the start of training camp. The team announced Steele’s departure Monday morning but did not provide an explanation, saying no more publicly about the circumstances. Steele had joined head coach Dan Quinn’s staff during the offseason.

Citing Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic, NBCSports.com reported that Steele was dismissed for a violation of team policy. The report also said Steele was arrested June 7 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and faces related counts involving refusal to submit to a blood or breath test and obstructing or resisting an officer without force. The article said Steele informed the Commanders of the arrest, after which the club notified the NFL and placed him on paid leave.

While Steele was away from the team, offensive assistant Wes Welker handled work with Washington’s tight ends during minicamp, according to the report. Quinn is expected to choose a replacement tight ends coach Tuesday, the same day the full Commanders roster is scheduled to report for training camp.

The move matters because it creates a late coaching-staff change at a position group just as Washington begins on-field preparations for the season. The reported arrest and charges remain allegations as described by the cited report, and NBCSports.com did not report any further legal outcome or additional team discipline beyond Steele’s dismissal.