Former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Josh Mauro passed away on April 23 at just 35 years old, his father announced today.
“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,” his father wrote on Facebook. “Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven.”
The cause of death has not been made public. After the announcement, tributes and prayers for Mauro and his family have poured in across social media.
Football World Pays Tribute to the Late Josh Mauro
Mauro started his NFL career with the Cardinals in 2014. He was an undrafted free agent who recorded 2 sacks during his first stint with Arizona from 2014-17.
Mauro went to join the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders for one season each before ultimately returning to Arizona for a final two-year stint with the Cardinals. Mauro finished his career with 5 sacks, 130 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 13 QB hits, 5 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery across 80 NFL games. He managed to play eight seasons in the NFL as an undrafted free agent.
As news of his passing hit the socials, the NFL world gathered for a collective tribute to the player, person, and son.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the Cardinals’ official statement read. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”
Prayers from media personalities and others close to the player and the family poured in.
“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 of the Lord. Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven,” Sending prayers to the Mauro family,” wrote Dov Kleiman.
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
David Kromelow, host of the “Sports Krunch With DKrom!” podcast, expressed his grief with a simple broken heart emoji.
It sums up how so many felt when they received this sad, unexpected news.
— David Kromelow (@dkrom59) April 28, 2026
“Former NFL DE Josh Mauro passed away last week at just 35, his family announced. A Stanford grad, Mauro played six seasons with the Cardinals (2014-17, 20-21), one with the Giants (2018), and one with the Raiders (2019). In 80 career games he had 130 tackles and 5 sacks. RIP (dove emoji),” wrote a reporter.
Former NFL DE Josh Mauro passed away last week at just 35, his family announced.
A Stanford grad, Mauro played six seasons with the Cardinals (2014-17, 20-21), one with the Giants (2018), and one with the Raiders (2019).
In 80 career games he had 130 tackles and 5 sacks. RIP 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/t4ItOGnnfu
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) April 28, 2026
Off the field, Mauro was beloved by many.
Rudy Reyes, host of “TheRudeDogShow” tweeted out, “He was an outstanding person. May he rest in peace. Miss you Josh!”
He was an outstanding person. May he rest in peace. Miss you Josh! https://t.co/FObaaBBAE3
— Rudy Reyes (@rudedogreyes) April 28, 2026
Brandon Smith, who is a theology teacher, said in a tweet, “So sad to hear this. His sister was a high school friend, and he and his brother were a couple of years behind us. A really sweet family.”
So sad to hear this. His sister was a high school friend and he and his brother were a couple years behind us. A really sweet family. https://t.co/7bGqIw67Ah
— Brandon Smith (@brandon_d_smith) April 28, 2026
AZCardinals.com’s Darren Urban recalled a message from Mauro that stayed with him: “It’s bigger than you making plays, it’s bigger than getting your name called, it’s bigger than the newspaper having your numbers.”
This is certainly a difficult time for Mauro’s family, friends, and former teammates, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by his passing.
