The Washington Commanders' coaching staff is all but finalized after new offensive coordinator David Blough confirmed two appointments. Tight ends coach David Raih will replace Brian Johnson as pass game coordinator, making it yet another in-house promotion to maintain some much-needed stability and continuity around quarterback Jayden Daniels.
However, the man chosen to fill Raih's old role in Washington could have tipped the team's hand about how they want the offense to run moving forward.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Commanders have hired Ben Steele to be their next tight ends coach. He comes highly recommended by some respected figures around the league. He also played a leading role in Trey McBride's ascension with the Arizona Cardinals, a role Washington hopes can have a similar impact on Ben Sinnott.
Commanders' understated coaching hire could lead to seismic schematic change
NFL analyst Mark Bullock hinted that Steele's arrival could mean something bigger. He believes the previous work under Klint Kubiak could help the Commanders transition to a more zone-based running game under Blough's progressive guidance. And no fans would be complaining about that.
"Interesting hire. [Ben] Steele coached with Drew Petzing the last few years, Petzing is great friends with Ben Johnson, a link to [David] Blough. But also, Steele worked under Klint Kubiak as assistant OL coach in Minnesota in 2021 and Denver in 2022. Could help a transition to zone running?"Mark Bullock
This is an intriguing possibility. Blough wants to run a more pro-style offense, with quarterback Jayden Daniels under center much more often. The play-caller wants enhancements in the running back room, but any projected zone-style concepts will allow someone like Jacory Croskey-Merritt to take advantage of his dynamism more effectively.
Obviously, this also changes how the Commanders may approach their offseason recruitment. Chris Rodriguez Jr. could get an exclusive rights tender for his physicality in between the tackles. But if this offense wants to take the next steps under Blough, they also need an athletic backfield presence with patient vision to exploit zone gaps if Washington takes that direction.
Having an experienced presence like Steele around can help smooth this transition. His work at previous stops should be a significant asset to the Commanders. The fact that he's spent time under Kubiak only sweetens the pot, so there is a lot to like about this hire.
The pieces are slowly coming together for Blough. Now, it's about fine-tuning the playing personnel to put his grand plans into action. That will be more difficult, but there is a growing sense that the rookie coordinator is laying the sort of foundations that will give him every chance of success.
Steele's presence will only help. It may even make a much more significant impact than fans initially realized.