Domata Peko spent most of his long NFL career playing in the AFC North. Now, he\u2019ll be coaching in it. From his days as a defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals to the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 new defensive line coach, Peko is one of the greenest coaches on Mike McCarthy\u2019s new staff. But he\u2019s excited for the chance to get to work.<\/p>\n
In an interview with Thee Pregame Network,<\/a> Peko shared his thoughts about joining Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re always blessed when you get an opportunity to elevate,\u201d Peko told the show. \u201cAnd especially with an organization like Pittsburgh, the Steelers. Don\u2019t get much better than that\u2026gotta go to the next level and help out coach Mike McCarthy, which is a blessing for me. Spent some time with him in Dallas, and I\u2019m happy to get back to work with him with the Pittsburgh Steelers.\u201d<\/p>\n Peko has been a coach for just two seasons. He spent time interning for the McCarthy\u2019s Dallas Cowboys in 2024 before landing his first positional job with Deion Sanders and Colorado in 2025. Throughout the conversation, Peko acknowledged the difficult decision to leave Boulder, but a chance to run a room in the NFL was too good to pass up.<\/p>\n Like most of McCarthy\u2019s hires,<\/a> Peko\u2019s past experience working with him will make for an easier transition.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually started off, it\u2019s called the Bill Walsh Coaches Fellowship. I was in there as an assistant coach. Just doing the little things in the d-line room. Drawing up cards, different runs. Top runs of the week. Doing some computer things as well, and PowerPoint. Getting some meetings ready for our main d-line coach.\u201d<\/p>\n Peko\u2019s connection came through the NFL\u2019s fellowship program and through then-Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Peko played for Zimmer as a defensive tackle for the Bengals, where he thrived in the league for several seasons. Though he never made a Pro Bowl, he was consistent, durable, and impactful as a stout run defender and a pass-game pocket-collapser.<\/p>\n He spent the final few years of his career bouncing around the NFL, including signing with the Baltimore Ravens for 2019. Coaching the Steelers nearly completes the AFC North tour.<\/p>\n Peko will be in charge of a young room that needs continued development. Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black enjoyed successful rookie seasons but have plenty more to build on, especially as pass rushers. Combined, they registered just six quarterback hits. Keeanu Benton had his best season, but his run defense needs to find more consistency. And Peko will have the potential task of working with a peer in Cam Heyward, just a few years younger, in what could be his final NFL season \u2013 that is, if Heyward elects to play at all.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n