Russell Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, reacting to recent comments 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."
The quarterback's response pointed to the notorious Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.
During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.
What Sparked the Latest Exchange
The quarterback's response came after Payton made remarks after Denver's historic 33-32 win over the New York. Payton suggested that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Moreover, Payton implied 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,'" the coach stated.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- Wilson joined the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to Denver brought in 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 player from suffering an injury.
If Wilson remained on the team by March 2024, his $37 million pay for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was released, marking the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.
