Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Quarterback Remarks
NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this week, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."
Wilson's response directly referenced the notorious Bounty Gate controversy from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for one season.
The Cause of the Latest Exchange
Wilson's response came after Payton delivered remarks after Denver's remarkable 33-32 victory over the Giants. Payton suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" Payton stated.
Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245M contract.
- The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
- Payton benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the quarterback from getting injured.
If Wilson remained on the team by spring 2024, his $37M pay for 2025 would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, ending the contentious split between the player and his mentor.