Giants QB Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Quarterback Remarks
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, reacting to latest comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's response pointed to the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
The Cause of the Recent Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered remarks following the Broncos' historic comeback victory over the Giants. The coach remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" the coach stated.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- Wilson joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract.
- The Broncos finished 4-11 in his first season prior to Denver hired Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in TV commentary.
- Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the player from getting injured.
If Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
