Former NFL defensive end Josh Mauro died from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol, according to a report that cited the Maricopa County Medical Examiner.
The report, published by the California Post, said Mauro’s cause of death was acute combined fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol intoxication. It also said the death was classified as accidental.
Mauro’s death was first publicly announced by his father, Greg Mauro, in a Facebook post last month. In that message, he said his son died on April 23 and asked for prayers as the family grieved.
Greg Mauro described the loss as devastating and said his family was leaning on faith during the tragedy. His tribute remembered Josh Mauro as a son, brother, uncle, grandson, and friend.
Josh Mauro built an NFL career after Stanford
Mauro entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent after playing college football at Stanford. He first signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, though he did not remain with the team after final roster cuts.
He later joined the Arizona Cardinals, where he established himself on the defensive line and spent the bulk of his NFL career. That opportunity helped turn him from an overlooked prospect into a regular contributor at the professional level.
Mauro spent several seasons with Arizona and developed into a starter. During his time with the Cardinals, he recorded 83 combined tackles and four sacks across 55 games, including 29 starts.
He earned a starting role in 2016, when he posted seven tackles for loss over 15 games. That stretch marked one of the strongest periods of his career and helped solidify his place in the rotation.
After his first run with Arizona, Mauro also spent time with the New York Giants and the then-Oakland Raiders. He later returned to the Cardinals for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
That path reflected the kind of career many NFL role players build — moving between teams, staying ready, and finding ways to remain valuable on the roster.
Mauro was born in England, where his father was stationed for work. He later moved to Texas, where he developed into a high school standout and eventually earned the chance to play Division I football at Stanford.
That background gave his football story a broad arc, from an international birthplace to a college program known for producing NFL talent.
Across 80 career games, Mauro finished with:
Those numbers reflect a long professional run for a player who entered the league without being drafted. While the news of his death has shifted the focus away from football, his career still stands as a measure of perseverance and staying power in the NFL.
In the end, the report on Josh Mauro’s cause of death brings a tragic close to the story of a player who carved out a six-plus-year NFL career through persistence and hard work. The details are painful, but the reaction from his family made clear how deeply he was loved beyond the game.