Report: Steelers to hire former Bengals DL as coach

Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line assistant coach Domata Peko before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Steelers have their replacement for Karl Dunbar at defensive line coach, The Athletic's Zac Jackson posted Monday. Pittsburgh is reportedly set to hire former Bengals defensive lineman and Colorado defensive line coach Domata Peko.

More coaching movement of note to AFC North fans: The Steelers plan to hire former Bengals defensive lineman Domata Peko as defensive line coach, per source.

Peko had been defensive line coach at Colorado under Deion Sanders.

- Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) February 2, 2026

Peko has plenty of AFC North experience, where he played 11 years for the Steelers' rival Cincinnati Bengals and one for the Baltimore Ravens. He played as recently as 2020, finishing his 15-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He retired with 214 games played, 616 total tackles, 47 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks. He was often listed as a nose tackle.

Peko, 41, has connections to now-Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, getting his coaching start as an assistant defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. In 2025, he joined Deion Sanders' staff at Colorado as the defensive line coach.

Peko will be inheriting a defensive line room led by veteran Cam Heyward - who he played against multiple times- and 2025 first-round pick Derrick Harmon.