Washington Commanders offensive assistant Wes Welker will coach tight ends moving forward, Coach Dan Quinn announced Tuesday, following the franchise’s decision to fire Ben Steele, who previously held the position.
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“We definitely wish Ben the best — him and his family,” Quinn said Tuesday. “It was the best decision for us at the time.”
Steele was let go Monday because of a violation of team policy, according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal team matters. Per court records, Steele was arrested June 7 in Loudoun County and charged with four violations, including driving while intoxicated. He was also charged with refusing a blood/breath test, obstructing/resisting arrest without force and changing course after signaling.
Welker coached the tight ends during the Commanders’ mandatory June minicamp while Steele was on administrative leave. The former NFL wide receiver moved to the coaching staff this year after spending last season as a personnel analyst for the team.
Washington had hired Steele in March after David Raih was promoted from tight ends coach to offensive pass game coordinator. Welker’s title hasn’t changed, but he will be the Commanders’ de facto third tight ends coach this year.
Tight end is set to be a position of increased importance in Washington’s offense. New offensive coordinator David Blough has made it clear that he plans to use formations with multiple tight ends more often. Last year, the Commanders were in 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) on 23.2 percent of their snaps (15th in the NFL) and in 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) on 5.2 percent of their snaps (15th), according to the analytics company SumerSports. Those numbers should go up.
Using tight ends more often aligns with the aims to use play action at a higher rate, run the ball more frequently, have quarterback Jayden Daniels spend more time under center and make it harder for defenses to discern what they’re about to do.
“When we snap the ball, you shouldn’t know if we’re running it [or] throwing it,” Blough said in June.
Chig Okonkwo will log the most snaps at tight end after signing a three-year, $27 million contract this offseason, but others — such as John Bates — are in line to play significant roles.
The Commanders will hold their first practice of training camp Wednesday morning.
The Commanders signed punter Matt Haack on Tuesday as insurance behind Tress Way, who won’t be available at the start of training camp as he rehabs a pectoral injury.
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“It’s not expected to keep him out for an extended period of time,” General Manager Adam Peters said. “So I’m not too worried about that.”
Linebacker Kain Medrano will be sidelined because of a hamstring injury. Peters also expects Medrano to return soon.
Defensive end Dorance Armstrong (knee), defensive end Deatrich Wise (quadriceps) and cornerback Trey Amos (fibula) were placed on the physically unable to perform list Saturday and also won’t be available for practice.
They can return at any point during training camp. If they remain on the PUP list after roster cutdown day Aug. 30, they’ll have to miss the first four games.
The Commanders have long been linked to disgruntled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who missed last season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL in 2024 and has openly expressed his desire to join Washington.
The 49ers voided the remaining guarantees in Aiyuk’s contract because of missed meetings and rehab sessions, and the wideout — currently on the reserve/left squad list — has remained away from the team. Unless San Francisco releases him, however, Washington would have to execute a trade to acquire him. While the Commanders could use help at wide receiver, they’ve been unwilling to make a move.
Aiyuk’s behavior is probably a factor. His erratic social media posts have included slights at Daniels and his mother, Regina Jackson.
“We look at everything,” Peters said when asked how social media can factor into the Commanders’ decision-making. “We want to make sure it’s the right player to be in our locker room and in our bloodstream and in our culture. … [Social media] is not usually a huge part of it. Usually.”
Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen are among the free agent wide receivers who could provide an upgrade for the Commanders. The team won’t force it, but a move could be in the cards depending on how training camp plays out.
“Just like with any other room, if we have ways to get better, we’re always going to look into that,” Peters said. “We’ll really assess the decision, and if it’s the right move for our team or not. And if we do think it is, then we’re not afraid to do that.”
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