Former Bengals player finds a new coaching job that will have him helping a team he used to hate
Domata Peko is back in the AFC North as he continues his coaching career.
The new-look Pittsburgh Steelers defense will have former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko a part of its coaching staff.
Per The Athletic’s Zac Jackson, Peko is being hired as Pittsburgh’s new defensive line coach.
Domata Peko re-enters the AFC North as a coach for a former rival team
Peko, originally a fourth-round pick of the Bengals from the 2006 NFL Draft, played in 177 games (including playoffs) over the course of 11 years in Cincinnati. 23 of those games came against the Steelers, including the infamous Wild Card Round loss in the 2015-16 postseason.
It’s been nearly a decade since Peko played for the Orange and Black, but he was well beloved by fans for his energy and signature belly dance after every big play he caused. He fought many battles against the Steelers in what’s been a fierce rivalry for decades, and now he’ll be tasked with bettering the players who will hunt Joe Burrow and Co. twice a year.
It’s a hard pill to swallow from a Bengals fan’s perspective. On the other side of the fence, Pittsburgh is taking a chance on a 41-year old whose coaching career spans only two years. Peko landed his first coaching gig in 2024 as a defensive assistant for the Dallas Cowboys when Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator. Peko played the majority of his Bengals years under Zimmer. He spent 2025 in the college ranks as Colorado’s d-line coach.
Why the Pittsburgh Steelers landed on Peko to lead their d-line
Honestly, a former player who has lived life as AFC North trenchman might be the best the Steelers could ask for when it comes to naming a new DL coach. Once it was obvious that Karl Dunbar was not going to retained by the coaching staff, a lot of questions were raised, and honestly still persist.
The defensive line has been the lifeblood of the Steelers’ defense. Many have pondered if the loss of Mike Tomlin and Dunbar would lead to a retirement from Cam Heyward. Beyond that, what happens with the development of young, integral linemen like Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon?
With Peko, I believe the Steelers are in good hands. It’s hard to get in front of any room and command respect in the NFL. That’s especially the case in a defensive line room in Pittsburgh. Peko might not have a ton of coaching experience, but I trust that his days as a Bengal, alongside the expertise of DC Patrick Graham. — Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Pittsburgh
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