What exactly happened with Steele? According to Virginia court records, the tight ends coach was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in the first days of June. Additionally, it was reported that he refused a blood or breath test and was charged with obstructing or resisting an officer without force, meaning he also faces charges related to that situation.

The Athletic reporter Nicki Jhabvala also reported through X that the Washington Commanders let Ben Steele go due to a violation of team policy. Finally, she added that Dan Quinn himself will announce Steele’s replacement on Tuesday, July 28.

Who could be the next TE coach for the Commanders?

Ben Steele’s dismissal from his position now leaves the question of who will take over during the 2026 NFL season to coach a department that head coach Dan Quinn is putting a lot of effort into developing.

Although the natural replacement will be announced in the coming hours, according to NBC 4 Sports journalist JP Finlay, Wes Welker (Offensive Assistant) coached tight ends during the Commanders’ latest minicamp. Could he ultimately be an option for the position?

Dan Quinn’s top assistants

Dan Quinn has trusted these coaches to accompany him through what will undoubtedly be a highly competitive season, not only in the NFC East but throughout the entire league.

• David Blough – Offensive Coordinator
• Bobby Engram – Wide Receivers Coach
• Anthony Lynn – Running Backs Coach
• Darnell Stapleton – Offensive Line Coach
• D.J. Williams – Quarterbacks Coach
• Daronte Jones – Defensive Coordinator
• Larry Izzo – Special Teams Coordinator

Commanders are already thinking about next season

The 2026 NFL training camp is the toughest stage of preparation for teams around the league, and it is where the foundation for what will come in Week 1 begins to take shape. Dan Quinn is waiting for his veteran players on Tuesday, July 28, when they will join the rookies at Commanders Park in Ashburn, Virginia.

Hence, now Diego Pavia’s future in the NFL is quite blurry. He is seriously undersized for the position. Furthermore, he doesn’t have the best of reputations as to his personality and leadership.

Hence, for a guy with plenty of off-field history and being just 5’10”, Pavia really might see his NFL career end before it even starts. But, there are some paths for him to stay in the league after being waved by the Ravens.

Pavia’s potential fits in the NFL

Since Pavia was released before training camp began, his options now center on either finding an immediate camp/practice squad fit in the NFL. The alternative is to look for a spot in alternative professional leagues.

First and foremost, the stage is clear: Pavia must find an NFL practice squad or be available as an emergency depth QB. His best NFL fit would be with a team utilizing heavy spread/RPO or mobile QB concepts that needs a scout-team dual-threat passer.

Two teams could serve as Pavia’s destinations

Both the Eagles and Commanders as teams with established mobile quarterbacks. The two teams regularly look for mobile scout-team passers during the season to give their defense realistic practice looks.

Still, Pavia would be more of a training quarterback rather than a real possibility off the bench to enter the field. Also, Pavia should be trying to get a new team as soon as possible. An impressive showing in the NFL preseason could raise his stock for the future.

Daniels was named the 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year following an outstanding debut campaign. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate those jaw-dropping performances in 2025, as nagging injuries repeatedly derailed his sophomore season.

Ahead of his third year, Daniels knows that maintaining his health is the ultimate priority. He will be working under brand-new offensive coordinator David Blough this season, with the hope that a revamped scheme will better protect him and maximize his longevity on the field.

“I love the offense. I love what Blough’s doing,” Jayden Daniels told reporters Wednesday. “I love how he’s creating, designing different things. And we’ll go from there, but for me, personally, it’s just how can I get better as a football player? But the passion didn’t change. It made it more kind of, like, I guess, a miserable feeling not being able to go out there and do what I’ve got to do on a daily basis with having setbacks.”

The highly unpredictable NFC East

In recent days, Bolavip spoke with New York Giants legend Raul Allegre about the state of the division. The two-time Super Bowl champion remarked that the NFC East is completely wide open for all four franchises—and his assessment couldn’t be more accurate.

The Philadelphia Eagles are navigating the departure of several key stars alongside major staff changes this offseason. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys are still adjusting to Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive system while breaking in a new defensive coordinator. To add to the chaos, the Giants have completely altered their trajectory by hiring John Harbaugh as their new head coach.

These shifting dynamics, coupled with the Commanders promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator, set the stage for a highly volatile divisional race. While Philadelphia enters the year as the nominal favorite, no club has a clear, uncontested path to the crown.

Commanders face the loss of a key offensive weapon

While Washington successfully stabilized a cornerstone of their passing game by locking up star wideout Terry McLaurin with a three-year, $97 million extension in 2025, the offense will still look noticeably different this fall.

Deebo Samuel will not be returning to the Commanders for the 2026 season. The front office ultimately opted against offering the versatile playmaker a contract extension this offseason, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent still searching for his next destination.

Quinn appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and also said Styles’ “unique traits” will allow the Commanders to use him in a plethora of roles. That could include using the green dot on the helmet.

“He is definitely capable of that [using the green dot]. It’s one of the nice things now with the guys already doing that in college,” Quinn said. The fact is that Quinn needs to solve the defensive issues of the team, and Styles goes a long way in helping him do that.

What is the green dot for?

One player on defense gets a green dot on his helmet. That means he is the player in charge of relaying the team’s defensive plans to the rest of the team. The green dot indicates he is the one that hears the play calls from coaches.

Throughout the whole draft process, everyone praised Styles’ high football IQ, instincts, versatility, dedication to film study and elite athleticism. Also, he used the green dot during his Ohio State days.

The Commanders need the best Styles possible

Washington brought Dan Quinn two seasons ago in hopes of uplifting the franchise, especially on the defensive side. While the first year was great in terms of achievements, as the team went to the NFC Championship Game, the defense didn’t work exactly great.

In 2024, the Commanders defense ranked 13th in total defense. Even worse, in 2025, the Commanders were the absolute worst, ranking dead-last in total yards allowed in the NFL. Hence, the Commanders really need Styles to go big-time as they try go back into the good times.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Commanders have “significant interest” in signing Aiyuk, however, it would only happen under the condition that he is released by the 49ers. Having said that, 49ers GM John Lynch said the team is not releasing Aiyuk.

Hence, the Commanders won’t engage in trade talks, but will be ready to offer a contract for a wideout that hasn’t played a game since October 2024. He suffered an ACL tear there, and after the injury, he’s had a tumultuous time with the 49ers.

Aiyuk has ties with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels shined at LSU, but he played with Brandon Aiyuk at Arizona State. Hence, that could be a way of tempting Aiyuk of going to the Commanders. The team only has Terry McLaurin as a great option for Daniels, so Aiyuk, if back to top form, could definitely help the team.

Jayden Daniels himself is trying to get a bounceback year after not having the best of seasons in 2025. Daniels suffered a sophomore slump after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and dealt with quite a lot of injuries too.

The Commanders need an offensive star after the 2026 NFL Draft

The Commanders picked Sonny Styles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He is easily one of the best players in this class and he will do wonders for the team defensively. However, the offense needs help.

In the third round, the Commanders drafted Antonio Williams, a wide receiver from Clemson. However, they need firepower and Aiyuk could be that. Still, not having played in two years is not precisely the way to remain a top-tier weapon.

While the Giants have reportedly accepted Love won’t be available at No. 5, the running back knows anything can happen and he might drop even further—perhaps right into the Commanders’ lap. In Love’s own words, such a draft-day fall might actually be a blessing in his NFL career.

“[My visit at] Washington was great. I got to meet some great guys, got to talk to some great coaches and owner. I’d be blessed to go there, that’s all I’ve got to say,” Love admitted in dialogue with NBC4 Washington. “I feel like me and Jayden Daniels would be a very good duo. You know, Washington is great.”

Commanders’ fate hinges on Giants’ decision

Unless the Giants trade down or the Commanders trade up, the only way Love arrives in Washington is if New York passes on him with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Commanders own the No. 7 selection, so their destiny isn’t in their hands. They’ll need some help from several other organizations, including the one in East Rutherford.

If everything falls into place and the Commanders select Love, he would face the Giants twice every season. He might enter those divisional matchups with a chip on his shoulder, as the Giants may have spoken highly of him but gone in a different direction.

All signs suggest that if Love is still available at No. 5, the G-Men will draft him in a heartbeat. Still, it’s a two-way street. Just as the Giants aren’t Love’s only option and he is open to playing anywhere in the NFL, Love isn’t the Giants’ only option.

Teams after Love in 2026 NFL Draft

It’s no secret Love is one of the best players in the upcoming draft class. Strictly talent-wise—and with positional value aside—the Notre Dame alum could very well be the first overall pick. His comments on the Commanders indicate he likes what he sees in Dan Quinn’s team.

However, what else was Love supposed to say in conversations with media based in D.C.? Love knows better than to burn bridges around the league, especially when he has yet to be selected. All reports suggest he will be drafted in the top five by either the Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, or New York Giants, but anything can happen.

Moreover, the fact that he is a running back is one not many teams will be able to overlook and may cause Love to fall out of the top 10 of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. Just in case, Love is trying to stay on everyone’s good side.

Love’s stats in college

Just a glance at Love’s numbers during his college football career with the Fighting Irish reveals why the Giants and so many other teams are interested in him. Love appeared in 41 games during his time in South Bend. He registered 2,882 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground. Moreover, he racked up 63 receptions for 594 yards and six touchdowns.

Ertz spoke with Jedd McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. He said, “I don’t want it to be the last play that I have... it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”

Ertz is right, by the way. In the 2025 season, he had 50 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Bear in mind, most of the season was played with a backup quarterback, as the Commanders used Marcus Mariota due to Jayden Daniels’ injuries.

What does the future hold for Ertz?

Now a free agent, it will be tough for the 36-year-old to come back. Not only is he an advanced-age player, but the injury is also a tough one to ignore. Ertz revealed that he is aiming to come back to the field in training camp.

Ertz also admitted that he knows he will have to prove that he is both healthy and productive to find a new place to work, but he is eager to prove doubters wrong. Ertz is one of the best tight ends in the last decade, and is a Super Bowl champion as well. He is a good presence to have in the locker room.

The Commanders have another tight end already

The Commanders are not likely to re-sign Ertz, because they already found a replacement. The team signed Chig Okonkwo to their roster. Okonkwo is younger, faster, and more explosive than Ertz.

Okonkwo is fresh off a 560-yard, 56-catch season with the Titans. He only scored two touchdowns, but he will enter a slightly more talented roster now, where he can play alongside Jayden Daniels.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that Omar Cooper will visit the Commanders. It was reported that the Jets are “extremely high” on Cooper. However, he’s also visited the Panthers and Cowboys. He is going around.

Cooper is an NFL-ready talent and a good landing spot could see him become a certified weapon from the get-go. Cooper was the best weapon on an Indiana roster that won the National Championship. Now, he wants to bring a new dynamic to the big leagues.

Cooper’s championship-winning season

Cooper had 69 catches for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the most reliable weapon for quarterback Fernando Mendoza thanks to his good routes, great hands, and yards after catch skills. He is a tough guy to bring down on the first tackle.

The Commanders might look at Cooper as a huge need, with tight end Zach Ertz and Deebo Samuel unsigned for 2026 (Ertz might retire after suffering a gruesome knee injury as well). Hence, they need solid weapons to help QB Jayden Daniels deliver the goods.

Cooper could have prominence in Washington

Even with Terry McLaurin on the roster, Cooper could end up being a WR1 at times. McLaurin is on the wrong side of 30 years old, and his availability has come into question after losing plenty of games in 2025 due to injury.

Considering that the other WRs on the Commanders are Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane, Cooper could instantly slot as a top option. After all, you don’t waste a first-round pick to relegate him in the pecking order.

They were linked to star running back Jeremiyah Love for the draft with Chiefs and Giants going empty-handed, but the fact is the Commanders focus will be the defense. In fact, that’s where money has been spent, and according to Quinn, that’s the plan all along.

The Commanders have made eight defensive signings already. As Quinn said, “The best teams that I’ve been a part of had waves of players that could apply pressure. We’ll need to be able to do that and we will.”

Offense is flashy, but defense is key

“Whether you’re affecting a bad throw, or you’re hitting the quarterback to try to get the ball off them,” Dan Quinn said, “if we can do that consistently, then we’ll have a chance to really play like we like.” And yes, having four first rounders in the front seven will help a lot in doing so.

The Commanders also spent a $100 million in bringing in Odafe Oweh for the next four years. Also, bringing all these names gives Quinn a plethora of new ideas. He can shift from a 3-4 base to a 4-3 package. It’s a versatile unit now.

The Commanders are in a weird spot

This team made a fatal mistake. As usual, when an NFL team overachieves in one season, it tends to think its closer to success than it actually is. Hence, when the Commanders went all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2024, they fooled themselves.

They spent without a care in the world in a win-now attempt. Needless to say, it backfired. Now, they have new coordinators, plenty of new players, and an aging core. Hence, restructuring the defense is the first step to get back on track.

“We would never shut the door on him,” Commanders head coach Quinn said Saturday, via John Keim of ESPN. However, the staff is comfortable with their alternatives: “We do feel like there’s some players that are about to take off at [his] position.”

Wagner not only achieved a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks, but has also earned First-Team All-Pro honors six times and Second-Team All-Pro honors five times. A stellar career that could see him once again chasing a title alongside Jayden Daniels with this team.

Wagner’s impact on the Commanders

In 2025, Bobby Wagner remained a defensive powerhouse for the Commanders, recording 79 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions without forcing a single fumble. If Washington fails to bring the future Hall of Famer back for the 2026 season, it would lose more than just elite production; it would miss his veteran leadership and quarterback of the defense mentality, which are crucial for Dan Quinn‘s rebuilding process.

Wagner’s situation in this free agency

A re-signing of Bobby Wagner for the 2026 season would involve a significant shift in both pay and playtime compared to 2025. While he earned nearly $9 million last year, his current market value is projected at $7.7 million for a one-year deal.

Furthermore, Washington no longer views him as a 1,000-snap starter, as his potential return would likely focus on a situational rotation role and providing mentorship for the team’s younger linebackers.

What alternatives does Quinn have for Wagner’s position?

Ahead of next season, the Washington Commanders are transitioning to a more aggressive 3-4 defensive scheme. The linebacker unit is currently anchored by Leo Chenal and Frankie Luvu, who provide the versatility needed for this new system.

Additionally, the potential selection of Sonny Styles in the upcoming draft could give the Burgundy & Gold the elite hybrid playmaker they need to solidify the second level of their defense.

Washington eyes the upcoming Draft

Like the vast majority of the 32 NFL franchises, the Washington Commanders are keeping an eye on the upcoming draft. Here are the six picks that Dan Quinn will need to use wisely:

• Round 1, pick 7
• Round 3, pick 71
• Round 5, pick 147
• Round 6, pick 187
• Round 6, pick 209
• Round 7, pick 223

The former quarterback of the Washington Commanders has made the cut and appears on the official roster for the tryouts ahead of the World Championship that will be held in Düsseldorf. Out of the 24 players who were named, the list will be reduced to 12 to go to Germany in August.

This was his reaction on social media upon hearing the news. “God’s plan. The work is just getting started. Excited to work with my new teammates. USA! USA! USA!”

Will NFL players participate in 2028 Olympics?

The plan is for NFL stars to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles as part of Team USA. However, after what happened at the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic, that is no longer a guarantee.

Specialists like Darrell Doucette at the QB position in flag football showed they are more prepared than names like Tom Brady and Joe Burrow. That’s why rumors about Patrick Mahomes as an alternative will have to wait.

Because of that, if they want a spot, the path appears to be very similar to the one RGIII has taken: seeking an opportunity by following the selection process through different tryouts. At the moment, there are no reserved spots for anyone.