In a significant roster move, the Washington Commanders have announced the trade of defensive tackle John Ridgeway III to the New Orleans Saints. The Commanders will send Ridgeway along with a 2025 seventh-round pick, receiving a 2025 sixth-round pick in return.
This decision was revealed shortly before a scheduled press conference with Commanders general manager Adam Peters, signaling a strategic adjustment in the team’s roster composition. This move offers Ridgeway a new opportunity in a fresh locale and grants him a chance to optimize his abilities in a more fitting scheme.
“Ridgeway will play in a scheme that fits him more, and will find more playing time,” Peters commented, expressing optimism about Ridgeway’s prospects with the Saints.
Ridgeway’s path to this juncture has been a journey of resilience and adaptation. Initially drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Arkansas, his tenure there was short-lived as he was waived following the season opener. The Commanders saw potential in Ridgeway and swiftly picked him up off waivers.
During the 2022 season, Ridgeway managed to make his mark by playing in 15 games, four of them as a starter. Over the course of the season, he accumulated 24 combined tackles and forced one fumble, showing flashes of his defensive prowess.
The 2023 season saw Ridgeway further developing his game. He participated in 17 games, starting in two, and recorded 31 tackles. His preseason performance against the New England Patriots highlighted his capabilities, with three tackles and two tackles for loss.
As Washington moves forward, their initial 53-man lineup boasts five defensive tackles, indicating depth at the position. While they chose not to make claims during the first waiver round this offseason, they did face some setbacks, losing potential practice squad targets like cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields and defensive end K.J. Henry.
This trade not only provides Ridgeway a new beginning but also improves the Commanders’ draft positioning, advancing from a seventh-round to a sixth-round pick in 2025. This small but strategic gain positions Washington to potentially secure more impactful talent in the future.
In trading Ridgeway, the Commanders are refining their roster, balancing seasoned experience with emerging talent. This dynamic approach signifies their ambition to reassert their presence in the upcoming NFL season. Watching Ridgeway’s performance with the Saints will be integral, as his preseason momentum could translate into regular-season success.
Overall, this trade highlights the Commanders' proactive approach to build a robust team capable of rising in the NFL ranks. Both teams will keenly observe how Ridgeway’s abilities unfold in New Orleans, hoping his fresh start brings both personal achievement and strategic advantage to the Saints.