The Washington Commanders have appointed former NFL star Wes Welker as their new tight ends coach. This move follows the dismissal of Ben Steele, who was fired after a driving while intoxicated arrest on June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia.
Welker, who joined the Commanders staff a year ago and was elevated to an assistant this offseason, will assume the role previously held by pass game coordinator David Raih for the past two seasons. Welker also previously worked with the tight ends when Steele was initially suspended due to the DWI charge.
Steele was pulled over at 1:15 a.m. on suspicion of DWI and refused a breath and blood test. He was also charged with resisting and obstruction without force and has a court date set for August 13. The Commanders had suspended Steele for the team's last two voluntary spring practices and their mandatory minicamp before his termination.
Welker spent the 2025 season with the Commanders as a personnel analyst after his tenure as the wide receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins. Prior to his time in Miami, he served as the receivers coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2022 to 2024 and was an offensive and special teams assistant for the Houston Texans for two seasons.
Welker is widely recognized for his 11-season playing career, during which he accumulated 9,924 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns for the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Los Angeles Rams. A five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First Team All-Pro selection, Welker led the NFL in receptions three times. He will coach a Commanders tight end group that includes John Bates, Ben Sinnott, and Chig Okonkwo.