PJ Mustipher Bio
Patrick Joseph Mustipher, known professionally as PJ Mustipher, is an American professional football nose tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 320 pounds, he uses his size and strength to anchor the middle of the defensive line. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, he has built his career through perseverance, signing with multiple teams before finding a roster home in Arizona.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Joseph Mustipher was born on November 10, 1998, in Owings Mills, Maryland. He grew up in the same Baltimore-area community where he would later become a notable football prospect. His family background includes a strong football connection, as his brother, Sam Mustipher, is an NFL center, giving him an early example of professional-level play.
Mustipher attended McDonogh High School in Owings Mills, where he developed into one of the top defensive line prospects in the region. During his high school career, he was recognized as a MaxPrep Underclassmen All-American, an honor that helped establish his reputation as a physical and disruptive defensive tackle. His performance at McDonogh drew attention from several major college football programs.
Path to American Football
Coming out of McDonogh High School, Mustipher was a highly recruited defensive lineman. He ultimately committed to Penn State over several blue-blood programs, including Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. His decision to play for the Nittany Lions gave him the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten Conference, one of the most competitive leagues in college football.
At Penn State, Mustipher worked his way into the defensive rotation early in his college career. He progressively improved each season, building a résumé that included postseason conference recognition. His development under the Nittany Lions coaching staff prepared him for the transition to the professional level, even though he ultimately entered the NFL without the benefit of a draft selection.
PJ Mustipher Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Mustipher joined the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2018 and quickly contributed on the defensive line. During his freshman season, he recorded 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble, showing flashes of the run-stopping ability that would define his game. As a sophomore, he took a step forward with 37 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and another forced fumble.
In his junior campaign, Mustipher remained productive, posting 35 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass deflection. Through three seasons he had established himself as a reliable interior presence, and his development set the stage for a senior year that many expected to be his breakout.
Penn State Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Mustipher’s senior season in 2021 began with strong production, as he totaled 21 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack in just five games. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury cut short what had been his most impressive stretch of play. Despite the shortened campaign, his performance was recognized with second-team All-Big Ten honors, and he was also named a Rotary Lombardi Award semifinalist.
Using the extra year of eligibility granted during the COVID-19 era, Mustipher returned for the 2022 season and delivered a true breakout year. He posted 37 tackles and half a tackle for loss, anchoring the Nittany Lions defensive front. His strong play earned him a second consecutive second-team All-Big Ten selection, cementing his legacy as one of the top nose tackles in Penn State’s recent history.
NFL Journey (2023–Present)
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Mustipher signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent. He was waived at the end of August 2023 but was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad, keeping his professional hopes alive. On December 6, 2023, he was signed off Denver’s practice squad by the New Orleans Saints, beginning a stretch of moves between franchises.
In March 2024, Mustipher signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, though he was waived at the end of August of that year. Just two days later, on August 29, 2024, he joined the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. He signed a reserve and future contract with the Cardinals on January 7, 2025, and on April 7, 2026, he re-signed with the team, securing his place on the roster. Through the 2025 season he had recorded 36 total tackles in his NFL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mustipher’s path to the NFL is a notable story in itself. Going from undrafted free agent to a player who has stuck on an active roster across multiple teams speaks to his persistence. His consecutive second-team All-Big Ten selections in 2021 and 2022 stand as the most decorated stretch of his football career, and his signing of a reserve and future contract with Arizona marked his first long-term NFL commitment.
PJ Mustipher Career Wins
As an interior defensive lineman, Mustipher’s statistical highlights are measured in tackles and disruption rather than wins on the scoreboard. Through the 2025 NFL season, he had recorded 36 total tackles across his time with the Broncos, Saints, Eagles, and Cardinals. His most decorated achievements came at the college level, where he earned two consecutive second-team All-Big Ten honors.
PJ Mustipher Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Mustipher comes from a football family. His brother, Sam Mustipher, has played as a center in the NFL, giving PJ a direct connection to the professional game from an early age. Growing up in Owings Mills, Maryland, the Mustipher brothers both pursued careers along the defensive and offensive trenches, a fitting pair for a family built around football.
Personal Life
Mustipher is an American citizen, born and raised in the state of Maryland. Public information about his personal relationships is limited, and his primary focus since turning professional has been on building his NFL career. His off-field life remains centered on family and the football community that shaped him.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Mustipher was coming off his reserve and future contract with the Arizona Cardinals signed in January 2025. The season represented his first full year with a single organization since entering the league, offering him the chance to develop continuity along the Cardinals’ defensive front. His work in training camp and preseason positioned him as part of the team’s interior rotation.
Throughout the 2025 campaign, Mustipher contributed as a rotational nose tackle, helping to stop the run and occupy blockers for Arizona’s linebackers. While his statistical totals remained modest as a depth player, his presence on the active roster was itself a milestone for a player who began his career as an undrafted free agent. The season offered him valuable experience within a stable defensive system.
Looking ahead, Mustipher’s re-signing with the Cardinals in April 2026 confirmed the organization’s belief in his development. With his combination of size, experience, and perseverance, he is expected to compete for a larger role along the Cardinals’ defensive line in the seasons to come.