RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe Washington Commanders hired a new tight ends coach back in February, but after five months with the team, the assistant coach’s time with the franchise is over.
The Commanders announced Monday they have parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele, whom the team hired on Feb. 27 .
Washington did not reveal the reason behind the parting of ways, but Steele’s recent arrest might have something to do with it.
“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 wrote.
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Steele was hired to replace former tight ends coach David Raih, who was promoted to offensive passing-game coordinator to help new offensive coordinator David Blough.
The firing of Steele comes just two days before the Commanders hold their first practice of training camp on Wednesday, July 29.
Ben Steele’s coaching history
Steele’s brief stint as the tight ends coach with the Commanders was his fourth in that role in the NFL.
His first tight ends coach job came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2017-18. Before that, he was Tampa Bay’s offensive quality control coach from 2014-16, which was also his first job in the NFL.
Before becoming the tight ends coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2020, he worked as an offensive assistant with the team. He spent one season in each of those roles.
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After one-year tenures as an assistant offensive line coach with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and Denver Broncos in 2022, Steele served as the Arizona Cardinals’ tight ends coach for three seasons from 2023-25.
Steele was an assistant coach for four different college programs before heading to the NFL, with the veteran coach spending time at Colorado Mesa, Colorado, California and UC Davis.
Prior to becoming a coach, Steele spent time as a tight end with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Vikings, Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. In between those stints, Steele also played for the NFL Europe’s Frankfurt Galaxy in 2003.
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Steele only appeared in games with Green Bay, though, and caught four balls for 42 yards over 17 career contests.
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