After 11 seasons and many belly dances with the Cincinnati Bengals, nose tackle Domata Peko is moving on.
Many fans begged for this to happen, hoping the Bengals wouldn’t re-sign Peko and prevent young players on the roster from getting a chance at playing time. I took a strong stance on it earlier this offseason, arguing it was time to move on.
After a season with zero sacks, the Bengals opted to let Peko hit the free agent market, and he’s now signed a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos. There’s reason to believe Peko can still serve as a rotational backup in the NFL, but, the Bengals have opted to use him as a starter since his second year in the league, back in 2007. He was originally drafted by the Bengals in 2006 in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Maybe a new role with the Broncos is what Peko needs to have a late-career resurgence. He’s only 32-years-old, so he should have a few more years left to make an impact, which he can now do in Denver.
Peko has had a remarkable career in stripes, and has started a highly impressive 112 straight games, far more than any other defensive tackle in the NFL. Cam Thomas of the Rams has started 96 straight games, which marks the second such streak.
The Bengals will miss Peko for his veteran leadership, team-first attitude and years of impressive play, even if the last few years haven’t been as stellar.
Now that reality is setting in and he really is moving on, are you upset the Bengals failed to lock Peko up to spend the final years of his career in Cincinnati?
And by the way, keep in mind that the Broncos are reportedly paying Peko $7.5 million with $3.8 million guaranteed in 2017.
Domata Peko's 2-year deal is worth $7.5 million, with $3.8 million guaranteed in the first year.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 11, 2017
Domata Peko NFL Stats
Season | Team | Games | Games Started | Comb | Totals | Ast | Sack | Pdef | FF |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | Games | Games Started | Comb | Totals | Ast | Sack | Pdef | FF |
2016 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 37 | 17 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
2015 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 35 | 17 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
2014 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 46 | 26 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2013 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 52 | 24 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2012 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 53 | 23 | 30 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
2011 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 66 | 34 | 32 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 |
2010 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 42 | 24 | 18 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 |
2009 | Cincinnati Bengals | 11 | 11 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2008 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 67 | 29 | 38 | 0.5 | 2 | 0 |
2007 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 16 | 52 | 36 | 16 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 |
2006 | Cincinnati Bengals | 16 | 1 | 43 | 21 | 22 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 171 | 156 | 516 | 263 | 253 | 18.5 | 12 | 2 |