NFL CAREER – Originally selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Ridgeway enters his fifth season in the league and his second with New Orleans after being acquired from the Commanders via trade at the end of the preseason in 2024. In four seasons, the Bloomington, Ill. native has appeared in 49 games with eight starts, producing 81 tackles (36 solo), three pass breakups, a forced fumble and blocked one kick. In 2025, he returned from a pectoral injury suffered in the preseason to play in four games and started the final two contests, recording 11 tackles (three solo). He will look to provide depth and compete for snaps along the interior defensive line rotation again in 2026 for the Black and Gold.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms with New Orleans on a two-year contract, 3/11/26; Activated by New Orleans from Injured Reserve, 10/22/25; Placed by New Orleans on Injured Reserve/Designated to Return, 8/26/25; Acquired by New Orleans from Washington in exchange for future considerations, 8/29/24; Awarded off waivers by Washington, 9/19/22; Waived by Dallas, 9/17/22; Signed by Dallas to a four-year contract, 5/12/22; Selected by Dallas in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
2025 – 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). 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…In season finale at Atlanta, 1/4/26, recorded three tackles, part of a run-stopping effort where the Saints surrendered only 49 yards on 25 carries (2.2 avg.). 2024 – Appeared in 13 games for New Orleans' interior defensive front, while also contributing on team's field goal and extra point block units, recording 15 tackles (eight solo), a stop for loss, a pass defense and a blocked kick…Added one assisted stop and blocked a second quarter Younghoe Koo field goal attempt in a 20-17 victory, vs. Atlanta, Nov. 10…Posted two solo tackles, including one stop for loss vs. Washington, Dec. 15…Recorded one solo stop and one pass breakup at Green Bay, Dec. 23. 2023 – Appeared in all 17 contests with two starts for Commanders as a key member of their defensive line rotation, totaling a career-best 31 tackles (16 solo) and one pass breakup…Started and recorded two solo tackles and one pass breakup in win at Atlanta, Oct. 15…Totaled a career-high six tackles (three solo) at New York Giants, Oct. 22…Added three solo stops at New England, Nov. 5…Recorded three tackles at New York Jets, Dec. 24. 2022 – After being claimed off of waivers from Dallas by the Washington Commanders prior to Week Three, he appeared in the remaining 15 contests with four starts along the Commanders defensive front, adding 24 tackles (nine solo), one forced fumble and one pass breakup…Recorded first career NFL tackle at Dallas, Oct. 2…Making the first start of his career in win at Indianapolis, Oct. 30, added three solo stops…In win at Philadelphia Nov. 14, contributed one tackle and a forced fumble…Started and racked up season-high five tackles (two solo) in season finale win vs Dallas, 1/8/23.
COLLEGE – Started his college career at Illinois St…After redshirting in 2017 he was named a FCS Freshman All-America by Phil Steele in 2018, when he recorded 30 tackles, one sack and two stops for loss…Started all 15 games at nose tackle in 2019 for the Redbirds, who ranked fourth in the country in scoring defense and first in sacks, finishing with 50 tackles, two pass breakups and a forced fumble…In his final season at ISU in a shortened spring campaign, he led the team with 22 stops, three tackles for loss and an interception/pass breakup…Transferred to Arkansas for his final college campaign in 2021, starting 11-of-12 games and adding 39 stops for the Razorbacks defensive front. Had a season-high seven tackles at No. 1 Georgia…Graduated from Illinois State with a degree in criminal justice.
PERSONAL – Three-time varsity football and four-time wrestling letterwinner at Bloomington (Ill.) HS, winning 2017 Illinois State Championship…All Big-12 offensive line selection and All-State defensive line selection in 2017…Also competed in shot put and discus during sophomore and senior years…Named Bloomington High School's Athlete of the Year in 2017…Also participated in bass fishing as a freshman…For the 2022 My Cause My Cleats game, Ridgeway had shoes designed to bring attention to Friends of Homeless Animals…For the 2025 game, wore cleats with the local cult hero dog "Scrim" to promote rescues and adoption…Participated in the 2025 Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament at Chateau Country Club in Kenner…John Robert Ridgeway III was born on May 7, 1999 in Bloomington, Ill.
