Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Quarterback Remarks
New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, responding to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's response pointed to the notorious bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for making hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the league for one season.
The Cause of the Latest Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' historic comeback win over the Giants. Payton remarked that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach commented.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Partnership
- The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
- The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
- Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a move that prevented the player from getting injured.
If Wilson stayed on the team by spring 2024, his $37M pay for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, marking the contentious breakup between the player and his coach.
