Saints sign manager John Ridgeway to new contract after acquiring him in trade

The New Orleans Saints began free agency by retaining one of their own. Defensive tackle John Ridgeway returns on a two-year deal worth $6.2 million, as first reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The fourth-year pro will turn 27 in May and missed all but four games last season due to injury, but he made his plays count. And now he hopes to take on a more prominent role in Brandon Staley’s rotation.

Ridgeway was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, but spent his first two years in the league with Washington; New Orleans acquired him in a preseason trade in 2024. He has done his best work in run defense, with the Saints defense allowing 88, 64, 108 and 49 yards on the ground in the games he played last year. They allowed 121 rushing yards per game all season.

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But this investment in Ridgeway may come at a cost to someone else. He’s played ahead of draft picks like Khristian Boyd when healthy, but his strength against the run could make a veteran like Davon Godchaux expendable; If the Saints do not intend to exercise Bryan Bresee’s fifth-year option or extend his contract, there could be even more reps available.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL Free Agency: Saints re-sign Cowboys and Commanders DT John Ridgeway