Giants QB Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks

NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this week, responding to latest comments from his former coach Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared via social media. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."

Wilson's remarks directly referenced the notorious bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.

During that period, the league determined that the Saints had rewarded players for making hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.

The Cause of the Recent Exchange

Wilson's response came after Payton made remarks after the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 victory over the New York. Payton remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton hinted 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 were hoping that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" the coach stated.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Partnership

• The quarterback was traded to the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245M extension.
• The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in broadcasting.
• Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a move that prevented the quarterback from suffering an injury.

If Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, marking the ugly split between the quarterback and his mentor.