Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over 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.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.
During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for making hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the league for one season.
The Cause of the Recent Dispute
Wilson's reaction came after Payton made remarks after Denver's historic comeback victory over the Giants. The coach suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would rather facing Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" the coach stated.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Partnership
- The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M extension.
- The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
- The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the player from suffering an injury.
If Wilson remained on the team by spring 2024, his $37 million salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was released, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
