Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, responding to recent comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's response pointed to the infamous Bounty Gate issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
What Sparked the Recent Dispute
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered comments after Denver's historic comeback win over the New York. The coach suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had told team owner John Mara that he would prefer facing 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 stated.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- Wilson was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The team finished 4-11 in his debut year prior to the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a period in TV commentary.
- Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the quarterback from suffering an injury.
If Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his coach.