Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Comments
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, reacting to latest comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."
The quarterback's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Recent Dispute
The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered comments following the Broncos' historic 33-32 win over the Giants. The coach remarked that the team had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.
Moreover, 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 were hoping that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" Payton commented.
Context of the Wilson-Payton Partnership
- The quarterback was traded to the Broncos 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 brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
- Payton benched Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that ensured the player from suffering an injury.
Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his mentor.
