Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, reacting to recent comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."
Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded team members for making hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the NFL for one season.
The Cause of the Recent Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton made remarks after Denver's remarkable 33-32 win over the Giants. Payton suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had informed 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 long after our game,'" Payton commented.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson was traded to the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract.
- The team finished 4-11 in his debut year prior to the team hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in broadcasting.
- The coach benched Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the player from getting injured.
Had Wilson stayed on the team by spring 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was let go, marking the ugly breakup between the player and his mentor.
