Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."
The quarterback's response pointed to the notorious bounty scandal issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton received a suspension from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Recent Exchange
Wilson's reaction came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's historic 33-32 victory over the Giants. The coach suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson over Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" the coach commented.
Context of the Coach-QB Partnership
- The quarterback joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245 million extension.
- The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to Denver brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in TV commentary.
- The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.
Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37 million pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
