Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments

New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."

Wilson's remarks pointed to the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.

During that period, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for making aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton received a suspension from the league for one season.

The Cause of the Latest Dispute

Wilson's response came after Payton made remarks following Denver's historic comeback win over the Giants. Payton remarked that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.

Additionally, Payton implied that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened long after our game,'" Payton commented.

Background of the Coach-QB Partnership

• The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245M extension.
• The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
• Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a decision that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.

Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37 million salary for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the ugly breakup between the quarterback and his coach.