Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this week, responding to recent criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's remarks pointed to the notorious Bounty Gate issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.
During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized players for making hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Dispute
Wilson's reaction came after Payton made comments after Denver's remarkable 33-32 win over the Giants. Payton suggested that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.
Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach commented.
Context of the Coach-QB Partnership
- Wilson joined the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a five-year, $245M contract.
- The team went 4-11 in his debut year before the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in TV commentary.
- The coach benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.
Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37 million salary for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, marking the ugly split between the quarterback and his coach.
