🔗 Share this article Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Remarks New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, responding to recent comments from his former coach Sean Payton. "Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press." The quarterback's response pointed to the notorious bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints. At that time, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for making hard hits on rival teams. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for one season. The Cause of the Latest Dispute Wilson's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' remarkable comeback win over the New York. The coach suggested that the Giants had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB. Moreover, Payton implied that he had told team owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart. "I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" Payton commented. Background of the Coach-QB Partnership The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245 million contract. The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before Denver brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a period in broadcasting. The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the player from getting injured. If Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M pay for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the ugly split between the player and his mentor.