Russell Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this Tuesday, responding to recent criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Exchange
Wilson's response came after Payton made remarks following Denver's historic comeback victory over the Giants. The coach suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had told team 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 hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" Payton commented.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before Denver brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
- The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that ensured the quarterback from getting injured.
Had Wilson remained on the team by March 2024, his $37 million pay for 2025 would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
