Giants QB Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, responding to latest criticism 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 media."
Wilson's remarks directly referenced the notorious Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded team members for making hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
The Cause of the Recent Exchange
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's remarkable comeback win over the New York. Payton suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told team owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" Payton stated.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship
- The quarterback was traded to the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245 million contract.
- The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
- The coach benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.
Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his coach.
