Russell Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this Tuesday, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the league determined that the Saints had rewarded team members for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Dispute
Wilson's reaction came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's remarkable 33-32 win over the New York. The coach suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Moreover, Payton implied that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented.
Context of the Coach-QB Partnership
- The quarterback joined the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
- The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the player from getting injured.
Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, marking the ugly breakup between the quarterback and his mentor.
