The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing massive, sweeping changes unlike anything they've made in nearly 20 years. The team hired a new head coach, Mike McCarthy, along with a brand-new coaching staff. McCarthy will reshape the offense, while new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will overhaul the defense. The changes don't stop there, every new positional coach brings a strong background to their role.
One especially intriguing hire McCarthy made was former Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko. Despite his limited coaching experience, Peko is already making an impact on the defense as defensive line coach. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo has noticed a new "spark," particularly along the defensive line.
Fittipaldo, a co-host on the Steelers Collective YouTube channel, named Peko as the assistant coach delivering instant impact.
"I don't think there could be more of a contrast between this new position coach and the position coach he replaced," he said. "Huge difference. Karl Dunbar was a pro, but he was laid back, man."
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Peko Brings a New Spark to the Steelers Defensive Line
Dunbar coached the Steelers' defensive line from 2018 to 2025. He had previously worked with former head coach Mike Tomlin back in 2006, when both were with the Minnesota Vikings. Peko now has a chance to grow his own coaching career with the Steelers, and he could become a real difference-maker as an assistant.
Fittipaldo continued praising Peko's energy, calling his presence much needed: "If there was ever a reason to make a change … that defensive line room needs some spark, needs some energy."
Change can be daunting, but it's sometimes exactly what's needed, and the Steelers' defensive front needed exactly that. Just as valuable as his energy, though, is Peko's AFC North experience as a player. Few coaches understand what's expected of a Steelers defensive line the way Peko does.
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Peko Knows What the Steelers Pride Themselves On
Peko spent 10 years playing against the Steelers as a Bengal. In his rookie season, the Steelers were defending their fifth Super Bowl title. He left Cincinnati after the same season the Steelers made their final AFC Championship appearance of that era (2016). Having spent years competing against, and watching, his former divisional rivals, Peko is now tasked with helping them return to their winning ways.
As a player, Peko also lined up on the Bengals' offense in goal-line packages, where fans may remember a few collisions with Troy Polamalu. Those moments gave him a firsthand taste of the physicality the Steelers defense is built on. The spark Fittipaldo described is exactly what McCarthy and Graham are counting on Peko to turn into a fire, one that applies heat to opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks.
Ultimately, that spark will need to translate into execution and wins up front. Only then will Peko's new energy pay off for the Steelers.
