The Arizona Cardinals are set to hit the practice field in earnest on Monday, May 18, as the team's full offseason program transitions into organized team activities (OTAs). This marks the first time that veterans and rookies will work together under the watch of head coach Mike LaFleur and his staff, following the rookie minicamp that took place earlier this month. With mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 8-10, the next few weeks will be critical in establishing the identity of a roster that underwent significant turnover this offseason.
But while the Cardinals look ahead to the 2026 season, the organization and its fan base are also taking a moment to mourn the loss of a former player. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner recently confirmed that former Cardinals defensive end Josh Mauro died from acute combined fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol intoxication -- an accidental overdose. Mauro, who passed away at age 35, spent four seasons with the Cardinals from 2014 to 2017, carving out a reputation as a hard-nosed, rotational run defender.
These two storylines -- the start of OTAs and the tragic closure surrounding Mauro's death -- bookend a week that reflects both the forward momentum of a franchise and the sobering realities of life beyond the game.
OTAs: What's at Stake for the 2026 Cardinals
Monday's OTA session won't feature any live tackling or full-contact drills, but it will be the first real chance for coaches to evaluate how returning players have developed and how new acquisitions fit into the scheme. For a team that finished with a losing record in 2025 and is looking to climb back into contention in the NFC West, every rep matters.
The quarterback room will draw immediate attention. Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II are the veteran options at the position, and both have starting experience around the league. Behind them, Kedon Slovis and rookie Carson Beck will be competing for developmental reps. How the coaching staff -- including offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett -- distributes snaps during these voluntary practices will offer early clues about the pecking order.
In the backfield, James Conner returns as the featured back, but the Cardinals invested in depth. Tyler Allgeier, Trey Benson, Corey Kiner, and Bam Knight give this group a physical, committee-based feel. New additions like Jeremiyah Love will also be working to carve out a role.
Wide receiver is arguably the deepest position group on the roster. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the headliner after a strong rookie campaign, and he's flanked by Michael Wilson, Kendrick Bourne, and veterans like Devin Duvernay and Simi Fehoko. Jalen Brooks, Bryson Green, and Xavier Weaver provide intriguing depth. The Cardinals' ability to stretch the field and create mismatches will hinge on how well this group builds chemistry with the quarterbacks during OTAs.
Tight end remains a strength. Trey McBride is one of the better all-around tight ends in the league, and the team has solid support from Elijah Higgins, Tip Reiman, and Teagan Quitoriano. The offensive line, anchored by Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle and Hjalte Froholdt at center, returns nearly intact, which should provide stability as the offense installs new concepts.
Defensively, the Cardinals will be breaking in several new faces. The defensive line features Andrew Billings, Roy Lopez, and rookie Damonic Williams in the interior, with Darius Robinson and L.J. Collier setting the edge. The linebacker corps is headlined by Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, and Baron Browning, with second-year Jordan Burch expected to compete for snaps immediately. The secondary, coordinated by defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, will feature a revamped cornerback room including Will Johnson, Max Melton, Sean Murphy-Bunting, and Garrett Williams, with Budda Baker anchoring the safety group.
OTAs won't determine who makes the final 53-man roster, but they will set the tone. Effort, communication, and assignment discipline matter tremendously in May, and the coaching staff will be watching closely.
Remembering Josh Mauro
The news of Josh Mauro's cause of death adds a somber layer to an otherwise optimistic week for the franchise. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's report, released in mid-May, confirmed the 35-year-old's passing was the result of an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, cocaine, and alcohol.
Mauro was never a household name, but he was the kind of player every team needs. An undrafted free agent out of Stanford in 2014, he signed with the Cardinals and appeared in 43 games over four seasons. He recorded 54 tackles and 2.5 sacks during his time in Arizona, but his impact went beyond the stat sheet. Mauro was a reliable run defender who embraced the dirty work along the defensive line, often occupying blockers so that others could make plays.
After his stint with the Cardinals, Mauro also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders before retiring. His death in late April, initially reported without a confirmed cause, prompted an outpouring of tributes from former teammates and coaches who remembered him as a consummate professional and a good man off the field.
This is the second time in recent years that the Cardinals organization has had to reckon with the loss of a former player to substance-related causes. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that many athletes face after their playing careers end, and it underscores the importance of the league's mental health and substance abuse programs.
The Cardinals released a statement expressing condolences to Mauro's family and emphasizing their commitment to supporting players during and after their time in the NFL. For fans, it's a chance to remember a player who wore the uniform with pride and contributed to some of the most competitive Cardinals teams of the mid-2010s.
Looking Ahead
As the Cardinals begin OTAs, the focus remains firmly on the future. General manager Monti Ossenfort has reshaped the roster with an eye toward depth and versatility. The offensive line is more experienced, the pass rush has been infused with young talent, and the secondary has the potential to be a strength.
But Monday's practices will also serve as a reminder that football, for all its drama and excitement, takes place in the real world. The memory of Josh Mauro will linger, and it's appropriate that the team's next chapter begins with a moment of reflection.
The Cardinals will take the field at their training facility in Tempe for the first of several OTA sessions. Helmets, shorts, and playbooks will be the order of the day. But beneath the surface, the work of building a contender is already underway -- and in the case of Josh Mauro, the work of remembering a fallen teammate continues as well.