After going through a difficult rookie campaign that saw him hit a “mean wall” due to the length of the season and the physical demands that came with it, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Yahya Black was looking forward to catching his breath.
The offseason brought significant changes for the Black and Gold though, throwing the second-year pro for a bit of a loop.
Gone is former position coach Karl Dunbar, and in is Domata Peko, who was hired as the Steelers’ defensive line coach under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
Though it’s still early in the process, Black and getting up to speed under the former Bengals defensive lineman. Appearing on The Christian Kuntz Podcast, Black shared his initial impressions of Peko, who looks like he could still play in the NFL.
“He’s cool,” Black said, according to video via the show’s YouTube page. “Learning bits and pieces. I think it’s definitely gonna be different when pads get on. He can actually let you know what the hell’s going on in the run game.
“That’s a big human being, man. That’s…yeah.”
Peko isn’t all that far removed from his playing days, having last put on the pads in 2020 for one season with the Carolina Panthers. Prior to that season, Peko spent 11 seasons with the Bengals, three seasons with the Denver Broncos, and one season with the Baltimore Ravens.
He has 214 career games under his belt and had one heck of a career, racking up more than 600 tackles and 30 sacks. What he is trying to teach the Steelers’ defensive linemen, he’s done at the highest level. Those words and lessons carry weight, especially from a guy who was a key run stopper for the Bengals.
While Dunbar was a good coach who was highly respected, he didn’t have that type of experience to lean on as a former player, playing in just 21 career NFL games. That’s not a knock on Dunbar, it’s just a fact.
Early in the adjustment process to a new position coach, Black is trying to take bits and pieces from Peko on and off the field. That process will be accelerated in training camp once the pads come on, which Black is looking forward to.
Peko has already taken a liking to Black, praising him and saying he can be an impactful nose tackle for the Steelers in 2026, and one of the best in the league.
After playing 445 snaps last season in a reserve role, the future looks bright for Black. He could take his game to the next level under Peko’s guidance, too.
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