Josh Mauro, the retired NFL defensive lineman who played for multiple teams over eight seasons, died on April 23 at the young age of 35.
His family expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement, saying, “With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new—living in the presence of the Lord—we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.” They added that on April 23rd, he took his final breath on Earth and began his new life in heaven.
No details regarding the cause of death were shared in the announcement or in later reports.
Rest In Peace: Former NFL defensive end Josh Mauro has sadly passed away at the young age of 35 years old.
“Josh Mauro is now healed and made new, living in the presence og the Lord. Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.”
Sending prayers to… pic.twitter.com/1l8CIdjLhu
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 28, 2026
Mauro was born in St. Albans, England, and moved to Texas at age three when his father, Greg Mauro, completed a work assignment. Raised in Hurst, Texas, he attended L.D. Bell High School, where he earned all-state recognition from the Associated Press and first-team all-area honors from the Dallas Morning News.
He later committed to Stanford University, recognized as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country.
During his time at Stanford, Mauro played as a defensive end, initially serving in a reserve capacity before gaining prominence. In his fifth year during the 2013 season, he started 11 games and tallied 51 tackles (33 solo), along with 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception.
That season earned him an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 team and inclusion on watch lists for both the Bednarik and Ted Hendricks awards.
Though undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, Mauro found his way to the Arizona Cardinals after a brief offseason stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making his NFL debut later that year in five games.
During his initial tenure with the Cardinals from 2014 to 2017, Mauro participated in 47 regular-season games, starting 26, and achieved career highs in 2016 with 42 tackles and 13 tackles for loss during 13 starts. The team rewarded him with a two-year contract extension in January 2017.
After being released by the Cardinals in March 2018, Mauro signed with the New York Giants, facing a four-game suspension for breaking the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. Once back, he started five games and wrapped up that year with 28 tackles, one sack, and four tackles for loss.
He also had short spells with the Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars before finishing his career back with the Cardinals.
In total, during his eight NFL seasons, Mauro played in over 80 games, amassing 130 total tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and five pass deflections. He was primarily recognized as a rotational defensive end known for his run defense and versatility on the line.
Surviving him are his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Saddens me greatly. One thing to note, he was in Steelers Camp but didn’t make the cut. I interviewed Josh Mauro prior to going to the pros. He was an outstanding person. My condolences go to his family right now. https://t.co/VIc4NEDF0n
— Rudy Reyes (@rudedogreyes) April 28, 2026
