Josh Mauro, a former professional American football defensive lineman and Stanford University standout, has died at the age of 35.
His death was confirmed by his family and former teams on April 28, 2026. He passed away on April 23, 2026.
A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. His father, Greg Mauro, shared a statement announcing his passing and reflecting on his life, describing a moment of loss for their family.
Mauro was born in England and moved to Texas at a young age, where he grew up and eventually attended L D Bell High School in the Fort Worth area.
His athletic talent in football became evident early, and he later earned a place at Stanford University, where he developed into a key defensive player over five seasons.
During his time at Stanford, Mauro steadily improved and became an important part of the team’s defensive front. His final college season in 2013 was his most notable, as Stanford won the Pac-12 championship and advanced to the Rose Bowl.
Mauro became a starter that year after injuries on the roster opened opportunities, and he made strong contributions on defense.
He recorded 51 tackles that season, including 12.5 tackles for loss, and earned All Pac-12 honorable mention recognition for his performance.
One of the highlights of his college career came during the Pac-12 championship game against Arizona State, where he recorded an interception, a rare achievement for a defensive lineman.
He later participated in the East-West Shrine Game, a postseason showcase for college seniors hoping to enter professional football.
NFL Career and Professional Journey
Josh Mauro entered the National Football League as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Arizona Cardinals.
He began his professional career with the team and spent four seasons developing into a dependable defensive lineman.
His best season came in 2016 when he recorded a career high 42 tackles and started 13 games, showing his ability to contribute at a consistent level in the league.
After his time with the Cardinals, Mauro’s career included several stops across the NFL.
He played for the New York Giants for one season and later joined the Oakland Raiders, where he appeared in 25 games and started seven.
During his time with the Raiders in 2019, he recorded 19 tackles and remained a rotational presence on the defensive line.
Mauro later returned to the Cardinals organization for another stint and also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His professional career included eight seasons in total across multiple teams, reflecting both his persistence and adaptability in a highly competitive league.
Throughout his NFL journey, Mauro faced challenges as well. He was suspended twice under the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy, once in 2018 during his time with the Giants and again in 2020 after signing with the Jaguars, who released him later that year.
Tributes and Remembrance
Following news of his passing, tributes came from former teams, teammates, and members of the football community.
Organizations, including the Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, and Jacksonville Jaguars, acknowledged his death and expressed condolences to his family.
Mauro is remembered for his years at Stanford, his determination in reaching the NFL as an undrafted player, and his contributions across multiple professional teams.
He is survived by his family, who have asked for privacy as they mourn his loss.
