Mario Edwards Bio
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. (born January 25, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 280 pounds, Edwards has built a long career as an interior defensive lineman across multiple franchises.
Drafted as the 35th overall pick, Edwards entered the league with high expectations and has since suited up for eight NFL teams. He is widely recognized for his run-defense, pass-rushing ability, and durability. His career has spanned a decade, taking him from the West Coast to the Deep South and back to Texas.
Early Life and Background
Mario Edwards was born on January 25, 1994, in Gautier, Mississippi, while his father, Mario Edwards Sr., was still in high school. While his father went on to play college football at Florida State, the younger Mario stayed in Mississippi with his grandmother, Ruth Chambers, and his father’s sister and two brothers. After his father was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2000, the family relocated to the northern Dallas area in Texas, where Edwards would grow up around professional football.
He was raised in Denton, Texas, and attended Prosper High School for his freshman and sophomore year, where he starred as a three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track. He started at defensive end for the state champion Eagles as a freshman, recording 69 tackles, three sacks, and even 17 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He then transferred to Billy Ryan High School, where his production exploded on the defensive line.
As a junior at Billy Ryan High School, Edwards recorded 127 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks, leading the team to a state runner-up finish. In his senior season in 2011, he posted 72 tackles and 11 sacks and was named the USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned All-American honors from USA Today, Parade, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN, while competing in track and field as a shot putter with a top throw of 15.08 meters.
Path to American Football
Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Edwards was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in his class and No. 3 overall. He was the highest-ranked defensive tackle recruit on Rivals.com since Haloti Ngata in 2002. Recruited by numerous top programs, he took official visits to Texas, Oklahoma, Florida State, and Louisiana State before committing to the Florida State Seminoles on January 24, 2012.
At Florida State, Edwards was initially projected to redshirt as a true freshman, but he was forced into action in week one after the loss of Brandon Jenkins. He appeared in 11 games and made his first career start in the 2012 ACC Championship Game, finishing the year with 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore in 2013, he recorded 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception, helping Florida State win the BCS national championship and earning third-team All-ACC honors.
Returning as a starter his junior season in 2014, Edwards posted 44 tackles and 3.0 sacks and was named first-team All-ACC. After that strong junior campaign, he decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL draft, where the Oakland Raiders selected him 35th overall.
Mario Edwards Career
Early Career (2015-2017)
Edwards was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. On June 19, 2015, the Raiders signed him to a four-year, $6.01 million contract that included $3.72 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $2.63 million. His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2015, and the following year he again landed on injured reserve on September 5, 2016, due to a hip injury. He was activated off injured reserve on December 23, 2016, and remained with Oakland through the 2017 season before being waived on September 1, 2018.
Oakland Raiders Breakthrough (2015-2017)
Despite injuries limiting his playing time, Edwards showed flashes of the dominance that made him a top recruit. He brought size, quickness, and power to the Raiders’ defensive front, lining up both at defensive end and defensive tackle. The Raiders saw enough promise to keep him in the rotation when healthy, and he was viewed as a long-term building block along the defensive line. However, recurring injuries prevented him from establishing himself as a full-time starter in Oakland.
New York Giants (2018)
On September 2, 2018, Edwards was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, giving him a fresh start in the NFC East. His time in New York was brief, as he moved on to a new opportunity the following offseason. The Giants’ defensive scheme gave Edwards a chance to reset his career and stay on an NFL roster.
New Orleans Saints (2019-2020)
On March 15, 2019, Edwards signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. He slotted into the Saints’ deep defensive line rotation and contributed as an interior pass rusher. He was released by New Orleans on September 5, 2020, as the team reshaped its roster.
Chicago Bears Era (2020-2022)
On September 8, 2020, Edwards was signed by the Chicago Bears, where he enjoyed the most productive stretch of his career. He played in 15 games and recorded 17 tackles and a career-high 4.0 sacks. On January 15, 2021, Edwards was suspended by the NFL for the first two games of the 2021 season for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. He signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension with the Bears on March 16, 2021, but was released on August 30, 2022.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans (2022)
On September 4, 2022, Edwards was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He did not last long there, as on September 26, 2022, he was signed by the Tennessee Titans off the Jaguars practice squad, giving him another opportunity in the AFC South.
Seattle Seahawks (2023)
On May 15, 2023, Edwards signed with the Seattle Seahawks, adding veteran depth to their defensive front. He spent the 2023 season in Seattle before heading back to Texas the following year.
Houston Texans Era (2024-Present)
On March 19, 2024, Edwards signed with the Houston Texans, returning to his home state of Texas. He was suspended four games on October 14 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. In 13 appearances with 12 starts, Edwards registered two pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, three sacks, and 31 combined tackles. On March 11, 2025, Edwards re-signed with the Texans on a two-year, $9.5 million contract. He played in 14 games, recording 1.5 sacks and 13 combined tackles, but head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on December 15 that Edwards would miss the remainder of the season due to a pectoral tear.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Edwards’ career are his USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year award in 2011, his role on Florida State’s 2013 BCS national championship team, and his career-high 4.0 sacks with the Chicago Bears in 2020. His ability to remain on an NFL roster for a decade across eight franchises stands as a milestone of longevity in a league that rarely grants long careers to interior defensive linemen.
Mario Edwards Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Edwards comes from a football family. His father, Mario Edwards Sr., played college football at Florida State before being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. The elder Edwards’ career took the family from Mississippi to the northern Dallas area, where Mario Jr. would eventually become one of the top high school recruits in the country. His grandmother, Ruth Chambers, also played a key role in raising him during his early years in Mississippi.
2025 Season Performance
Edwards re-signed with the Houston Texans on March 11, 2025, on a two-year, $9.5 million contract, signaling the team’s confidence in his role along the defensive line. The Texans viewed him as a key rotational piece and leader in the locker room entering the season. However, his campaign was interrupted when head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on December 15 that Edwards would miss the remainder of the season with a pectoral tear.
Before the injury, Edwards had played in 14 games and recorded 1.5 sacks and 13 combined tackles, providing veteran stability on the interior of the defensive line. His absence forced younger players into expanded roles during the final stretch of the season. Edwards’ leadership and experience were considered valuable assets as Houston pushed toward the playoffs.
Looking ahead, Edwards is expected to recover fully and remain a key contributor for the Texans in the coming seasons. His contract runs through 2026, giving him an opportunity to finish his career on a competitive roster. With Houston’s defense continuing to develop under Ryans, Edwards’ veteran presence should remain an important piece of the team’s plans.