Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Remarks
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this Tuesday, responding to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."
The quarterback's remarks directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints.
During that period, the league determined that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered remarks after the Broncos' historic comeback win over the New York. Payton remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.
Moreover, Payton hinted that he had told team owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton stated.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
- The Broncos finished 4-11 in his debut year before Denver hired Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in TV commentary.
- The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the quarterback from getting injured.
Had Wilson remained on the team by spring 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious breakup between the quarterback and his mentor.
