Commanders tap Wes Welker to replace tight ends coach fired after DWI arrest

Wes Welker was names Commanders tight end coach.

The Commanders have a new tight ends coach, and it's probably a name you remember well.

After the team fired its previous tight ends coach Ben Steele following a DWI arrest, Washington named the former All-Pro receiver Wes Welker to the position.

Welker joined the Commanders staff a year ago and was elevated to an assistant this offseason. He also worked with the tight ends when Steele was initially suspended after driving while intoxicated.

Wes Welker was named Commanders tight end coach. Getty Images

Steele was pulled over at 1:15 a.m. on June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia (where the Commanders practice), for suspicion of DWI and refused a breath and blood test.

Steele was additionally charged with resisting and obstruction without force, and has a court date on Aug. 13.He was suspended by the Commanders for the last two voluntary spring practices and their three-day mandatory minicamp before his firing.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Welker doesn't have an official role for his position, but that he will be in charge of the tight ends, a job pass game coordinator David Raih held the last two seasons.

Welker spent 2025 with the Commanders as a personnel analyst following his firing as the Dolphins wide receivers coach.

He spent 2022-24 as Miami's receivers coach, working with dynamic threats Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Before that, he spent three seasons as the 49ers receivers coach and two as an offensive and special teams assistant for the Texans.

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. AP

But Welker is most well-known for his playing career.

Across 11 seasons with the Dolphins, Patriots, Broncos and Rams, Welker had 9,924 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns.

Welker was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro and led the NFL in receptions three times.

He will work with a Commanders tight end room featuring John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Chig Okonkwo.