The New Orleans Saints kicked off free agency by retaining one of their own. Defensive tackle John Ridgeway is returning on a two-year deal valued at $6.2 million, as first reported by NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill. The fourth-year pro turns 27 in May and missed all but four games last season with an injury, but he made his snaps count. And now he figures to take on a more prominent role in Brandon Staley's rotation.Ridgeway was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys back in 2022 but spent his first two years in the league with Washington; New Orleans acquired him in a preseason trade in 2024. He's done his best work in run defense, with the Saints defense allowing 88, 64, 108, and 49 yards on the ground in games he played last year. They allowed 121 rushing yards per game all season.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 don't intend to pick up 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, Commanders DT John Ridgeway