Commanders’ John Ridgeway claim puts hilarious perspective on Amari Cooper trade

The Washington Commanders’ offensive line endured a huge loss Sunday, as Chase Roullier suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury. Rouller is seeking a second opinion to determine if surgery is absolutely necessary.

Additionally, the Commanders’ defensive line is running low on bodies after Phiadrian Mathis’ season-ending knee injury in Week 1, Daniel Wise sustaining an ankle sprain in Week 2 and Casey Toohill leaving the same game with a concussion.

With Jonathan Allen already banged up with a groin injury, Ron Rivera expressed concern with the rotation in his postgame press conference, seemingly indicating that Washington would make a signing or claim a player off waivers.

When push came to shove, they went with the latter, claiming John Ridgeway off waivers from the Cowboys. Ridgeway was waived after Dallas signed Cooper Rush and Brett Maher to the active roster for Sunday’s game vs Cincinnati. They hoped to re-sign Ridgeway to the practice squad if he cleared waivers.

The Commanders didn’t give them that chance.

Ridgeway was actually drafted by Dallas in the fifth round this year, which makes the move all the more worthwhile for Commanders fans. It also serves as a hilarious reminder that the Cowboys traded Amari Cooper for a fifth-round pick this offseason.

The Commanders’ claim of John Ridgeway shows how awful the Cowboys’ decision to trade Amari Cooper was.

No, Ridgeway wasn’t drafted with the pick Dallas acquired for Cooper, but it just puts into perspective what they got in return (or didn’t get in return) for one of the game’s premier receivers. While fifth-round picks can go on to become impact players, the fact the Cowboys were willing to waive Ridgeway shows that they basically traded Dak Prescott’s favorite target to save money against the salary cap.

Imagine doing that after you just signed your franchise quarterback to a four-year, $160 million contract with $95 million guaranteed?

The Cowboys picked up a huge upset win over the Bengals in Week 2, but it speaks volumes Cooper scored a touchdown this season before his former team. Cooper had a sluggish debut for Cleveland, but erupted for nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown in the team’s Week 2 loss to the Jets. Cooper’s 90.9 PFF grade was the highest grade among all offensive players for the week.

But enough about Cooper and the Cowboys.

While it’s great to steal from a rival, Ridgeway should make an immediate impact for the Commanders, who released recent signing Donovan Jeter, who played 18 snaps against the Lions, to make room for him on the active roster.

Ridgeway was widely regarded as one of the best run-stuffing defensive lineman in this year’s draft. How coveted was he on waivers? Per reports, Washington wasn’t the only team to submit a waiver claim for the former Razorback.

The Commanders have gotten gashed against the run through two games, so Ridgeway could see immediate playing time for the burgundy and gold.