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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Washington Commanders made sweeping changes to the coaching staff this offseason after finishing with a disappointing 5-12 record in Dan Quinn's second season as the head coach.
There was only so much the Commanders could do with quarterback Jayden Daniels only playing in seven games due to injury. Still, the Commanders parted ways with defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Washington hired David Blough as offensive coordinator and Daronte Jones as defensive coordinator.
Amid the changes with the coaching staff, the Commanders hired Ben Steele to coach their tight ends. He had previously been the tight ends coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2023 to 2025.
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Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Commanders fired Steele on Monday.
"Commanders have fired TEs coach Ben Steele, who was hired this offseason," Schefter posted on X.
The Commanders confirmed Steele was "parting ways" with the team, though they offered no more details.
"We are parting ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele," the Commanders posted on X. "The team will have no further comment at this time."
Steele's firing comes amid reported issues off the field this offseason.
It's not an ideal time for the Commanders to be making a coaching change this summer. Washington opens its first practice of training camp on Wednesday. Rookies reported to training camp on Friday.
The Commanders signed tight end Chig Okonkwo in free agency, helping to boost the position after Zach Ertz suffered an ACL injury last season. Ertz remains as an unsigned free agent before the preseason.
The 2026 season is critical for Quinn and his staff. The Commanders made the NFC Championship Game in 2024, Daniels' rookie season. Washington appeared to regress in areas outside of the quarterback last season.
Based on Quinn's decision to make changes at offensive and defensive coordinator, it's fair to assume the head coach is on the hot seat this fall.
For more on the Commanders and the NFL , head to Newsweek Sports .
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