Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this Tuesday, responding to latest comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared on X. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."
The quarterback's remarks pointed to the notorious bounty scandal controversy from 2009-11, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints.
During that period, the NFL 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 Latest Exchange
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton made remarks following the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 victory over the Giants. The coach remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" the coach commented.
Context of the Coach-QB Partnership
- Wilson joined the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
- The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in TV commentary.
- The coach benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a move that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.
If Wilson remained on the roster by spring 2024, his $37 million salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious breakup between the quarterback and his coach.
