Giants QB Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Over Quarterback Comments
NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this Tuesday, reacting to recent criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."
Wilson's response pointed to the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for making aggressive tackles on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the NFL for one season.
The Cause of the Latest Exchange
Wilson's response came after Payton delivered remarks after Denver's historic comeback victory over the New York. The coach remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.
Additionally, Payton implied that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson over Dart.
"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" Payton stated.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
- The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season prior to the team hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
- The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the quarterback from getting injured.
Had Wilson remained on the roster by spring 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, marking the ugly breakup between the quarterback and his coach.
