Russell Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this Tuesday, responding to recent criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's remarks directly referenced the notorious bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.
At that time, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized players for making aggressive tackles on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for one season.
The Cause of the Recent Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' historic comeback win over the Giants. The coach suggested that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson over Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" the coach commented.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
- The Broncos went 4-11 in his first season prior to the team brought in Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a period in broadcasting.
- The coach benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the quarterback from getting injured.
Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M pay for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the ugly split between the quarterback and his mentor.
