The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals shared one of the NFL’s most heated rivalries over the past decade, marked by physical play, intense emotions, and several infamous on-field incidents. Players such as Vontaze Burfict and Adam “Pacman” Jones became synonymous with the animosity between the two franchises, often drawing attention for controversial hits and post-whistle altercations.
Amid that backdrop, one former Bengal now joins the Steelers coaching staff with the respect of a longtime rival: Domata Peko.
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Peko, who played defensive tackle for Cincinnati from 2006 to 2016, was recently hired as Pittsburgh’s defensive line coach. Despite the hostility that defined many Steelers–Bengals matchups during his playing career, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made it clear that Peko stood apart from the chaos.
Speaking on Footbahlin , Roethlisberger acknowledged the physical nature of trips to Cincinnati, but emphasized that Peko was never part of the problem.
“When you went to Cincinnati, you knew you were going to be sore because of the cheap shots,” Roethlisberger said. “But Domata wasn’t one of those guys. He was a guy you respected. He respected the game, he respected the players, so I have a lot of respect for him. I think that’s a great pickup for them.”
Peko brings both NFL and collegiate coaching experience to Pittsburgh. He most recently spent a season as the defensive line coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders. Before that, he worked as a defensive assistant with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, where he was on staff under head coach Mike McCarthy.
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Now in Pittsburgh, Peko will be tasked with developing a young and evolving defensive line group. That includes key contributors such as Keeanu Benton, along with recent draft picks Yahya Black and Derrick Harmon.
With longtime stalwart Cam Heyward entering the later stages of his career, the Steelers are placing increased emphasis on preparing the next generation of defensive linemen. Peko’s reputation as a disciplined, respected former player—and his growing coaching résumé—positions him as a crucial figure in ensuring the unit remains a strength well into the future.
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