Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this week, responding to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's response directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for one season.
What Sparked the Latest Dispute
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered remarks following the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 victory over the New York. Payton suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Moreover, Payton implied that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against 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 commented.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- The quarterback joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245 million extension.
- The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year prior to the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
- Payton benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the player from suffering an injury.
If Wilson stayed on the team by spring 2024, his $37M pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, marking the ugly breakup between the player and his mentor.
