Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. Bio
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. is an American professional football defensive tackle who currently plays for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Born on January 25, 1994, in Gautier, Mississippi, Edwards has built a decade-long NFL career spanning multiple teams. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft following an impressive college career at Florida State University, where he helped the Seminoles win a national championship. Edwards has established himself as a reliable presence along the defensive line, accumulating 200 total tackles and 26 sacks across his professional career through the 2024 season.
Early Life and Background
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. was born in Gautier, Mississippi, while his father, Mario Edwards Sr., was still in high school. During his father’s college football career at Florida State, the younger Edwards lived in Mississippi with his grandmother, Ruth Chambers, and his father’s sister and two brothers. After Mario Sr. was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2000, the family relocated to the northern Dallas area in Texas.
Edwards attended Prosper High School in Texas for his freshman and sophomore years, where he was a three-sport athlete competing in football, basketball, and track. He started at defensive end for the state champion Eagles as a freshman and recorded 69 tackles and three sacks while also catching 17 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. He then transferred to Billy Ryan High School for his junior and senior years.
Path to the NFL
At Billy Ryan High School, Edwards emerged as a dominant defensive player. As a junior, he recorded 127 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks, leading Denton Ryan to a state runner-up finish. In his senior season of 2011, he recorded 72 tackles and 11 sacks and was named the USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year. He earned All-American honors from USA Today, Parade, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN.
Regarded as a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, Edwards was ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in his class. He committed to Florida State University on January 24, 2012, joining the Seminoles program that would later win a national championship during his tenure.
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. Career
College Career (2012–2014)
Edwards played three seasons for the Florida State Seminoles from 2012 to 2014. In his true freshman year, he was initially projected to redshirt but was forced into action due to an injury to Brandon Jenkins in week one. He appeared in 11 games and made his first career start in the 2012 ACC Championship Game, finishing the season with 17 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
As a sophomore in 2013, Edwards recorded 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and an interception while helping the Seminoles win the BCS national championship. Returning as a starter for his junior season in 2014, he recorded 44 tackles and 3.0 sacks and earned First-team All-ACC honors. He earned Third-team All-ACC recognition following his sophomore season. After his junior year, Edwards entered the 2015 NFL Draft.
Oakland Raiders (2015–2017)
The Oakland Raiders selected Edwards in the second round with the 35th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. On June 19, 2015, he signed a four-year, $6.01 million contract with $3.72 million guaranteed and a $2.63 million signing bonus. His rookie season ended early when he was placed on injured reserve on December 23, 2015.
Edwards suffered another injury setback in 2016 when he was placed on injured reserve on September 5 due to a hip injury. He was activated off injured reserve to the active roster on December 23, 2016. The Raiders waived Edwards on September 1, 2018.
New York Giants (2018)
On September 2, 2018, Edwards was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants. He played one season with the Giants before moving on to his next team.
New Orleans Saints (2019–2020)
On March 15, 2019, Edwards signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. He played significant snaps for the Saints defense before being released on September 5, 2020.
Chicago Bears (2020–2022)
Edwards joined the Chicago Bears on September 8, 2020, appearing in 15 games and recording 17 tackles with a career-high 4.0 sacks. On January 15, 2021, he 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. Edwards was released by the Bears on August 30, 2022.
Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans (2022)
Edwards signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on September 4, 2022. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans off the Jaguars practice squad on September 26, 2022, continuing his journeyman career through the league.
Seattle Seahawks (2023)
On May 15, 2023, Edwards signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He played one season with the team before joining his current franchise.
Houston Texans (2024–Present)
Edwards signed with the Houston Texans on March 19, 2024. He was suspended four games on October 14, 2024, for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. In 13 appearances with 12 starts for Houston that season, he recorded 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 for the Texans in 2025, recording 1.5 sacks and 13 combined tackles. On December 15, head coach DeMeco Ryans announced that Edwards would miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a pectoral tear.
Driving Style and Strengths
Edwards has been known throughout his career as a physical, run-stuffing defensive tackle who can collapse the pocket from the interior. His ability to generate pressure up the middle has made him a valuable rotation piece for multiple franchises. His length and power allow him to occupy double teams, freeing up linebackers to make plays. His consistency as a reliable run defender has been a hallmark of his game throughout his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Edwards’ career has been marked by several notable moments, including his role in Florida State’s 2013 national championship run and his selection as the 35th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. His career-high 4.0 sacks season with the Chicago Bears in 2020 highlighted his ability to contribute as a pass rusher from the interior. His journey through eight NFL teams demonstrates his persistence and value as a veteran defensive player in the league.
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Edwards has accumulated solid career statistics across ten seasons in the league. His ability to both stop the run and rush the quarterback has made him a dependable player at the defensive tackle position.
NFL Career Highlights
Edwards has appeared in over 100 career games with approximately 70 starts. His 26 career sacks demonstrate his capability as an interior pass rusher, while his 6 forced fumbles show his ability to create turnovers. His highest sack total in a single season came in 2020 with the Chicago Bears when he recorded 4.0 sacks. His durability and consistent playing time have been notable aspects of his professional career despite several mid-season moves.
Other Notable Performances
Beyond his sack numbers, Edwards has been a steady contributor against the run. His 200 career tackles include many for loss, and his ability to plug gaps has made him a valuable piece in various defensive schemes. His 8 career pass deflections and 2 fumble recoveries highlight his awareness and playmaking ability from the defensive tackle position.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Sacks | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Oakland Raiders | 12 | 13 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Oakland Raiders | 7 | 11 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Oakland Raiders | 13 | 24 | 2.0 | 1 |
| 2018 | New York Giants | 15 | 29 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2019 | New Orleans Saints | 16 | 32 | 3.0 | 1 |
| 2020 | Chicago Bears | 15 | 17 | 4.0 | 1 |
| 2021 | Chicago Bears | 12 | 16 | 3.0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Bears/Jaguars/Titans | 16 | 14 | 1.0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Seattle Seahawks | 13 | 10 | 2.0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Houston Texans | 13 | 31 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Houston Texans | 14 | 13 | 1.5 | 0 |
Mario Lashun Edwards Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Edwards comes from a football family through his father, Mario Edwards Sr., who played professionally in the NFL. Mario Sr. was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2000, which led to the family relocating to the Dallas area where Edwards grew up. The football legacy continued with Edwards following in his father’s footsteps to become a professional player.
Personal Life
Edwards continues to maintain a presence in the NFL as he enters his eleventh professional season. His journey through multiple teams has demonstrated his ability to adapt to different defensive schemes and team cultures. He remains active on social media and has built a following among football fans who appreciate his physical style of play.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a challenging year for Edwards with the Houston Texans. After re-signing with the team in March on a two-year, $9.5 million contract, he appeared in 14 games and recorded 1.5 sacks and 13 combined tackles. The season took a significant turn when head coach DeMeco Ryans announced on December 15 that Edwards would miss the remainder of the season due to a pectoral tear injury.
Despite the injury setback, Edwards provided valuable veteran presence along the Texans defensive line during the 2025 campaign. His experience in multiple defensive systems helped mentor younger players in the rotation. The Texans defense continued to develop under Ryans’ leadership, and Edwards’ contributions in the early portion of the season aided their efforts.
Looking ahead, Edwards faces an uncertain future following his March 2026 release by the Texans after a failed physical. His next steps in professional football remain to be determined as he works toward returning to full health and continuing his NFL career.