Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Regarding Quarterback Comments
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this week, responding to recent comments from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's remarks pointed to the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for one season.
The Cause of the Recent Dispute
Wilson's reaction came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's remarkable 33-32 victory over the New York. Payton remarked that the team had "discovered new energy" 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 rather playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Partnership
- Wilson joined the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245 million extension.
- The Broncos went 4-11 in his debut year prior to the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a period in TV commentary.
- The coach benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the player from suffering an injury.
If Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the contentious split between the player and his coach.
