New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defensive tackle John Ridgeway III on a two-year contract.
Ridgeway, 6 feet 5, 321 pounds, is a fifth-year NFL veteran who was originally selected in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys out of Arkansas. In four seasons with the Washington Commanders (2022-23) and Saints (2024-25), the Bloomington, Ill., native has played in 49 games with eight starts and has career totals of 81 tackles (36 solo), three pass breakups and blocked one kick.
Acquired by New Orleans in a trade with the Commanders prior to the start of the 2024 regular season, Ridgeway has provided valuable depth along the front line, playing in 17 games with two starts and recording 26 tackles (11 solo), one pass breakup and one blocked field goal. Starting the 2025 season on Injured Reserve, Ridgeway was activated at midseason and played in four games with two starts, posting 11 tackles (three solo). He opened the final two contests in the middle, where the Saints surrendered only 157 rushing yards on 53 carries (3.0 avg.) with zero rushing touchdowns.
