Giants QB Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Quarterback Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this Tuesday, reacting to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's response pointed to the infamous Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded team members for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Exchange
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' remarkable comeback victory over the Giants. Payton remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had told team owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented.
Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in broadcasting.
- The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the player from suffering an injury.
Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, ending the ugly split between the quarterback and his coach.
