Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Regarding Quarterback Remarks
NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this Tuesday, responding to latest comments from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... 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 directly referenced the notorious bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.
During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for one season.
What Sparked the Latest Dispute
Wilson's response came after Payton delivered remarks following the Broncos' remarkable comeback victory over the New York. The coach suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would rather facing Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" Payton commented.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- The quarterback joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract.
- The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
- Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the player from suffering an injury.
If Wilson remained on the roster by spring 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
