Giants QB Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Comments
NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, responding to recent criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."
The quarterback's response directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.
At that time, the league determined that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.
The Cause of the Recent Exchange
The quarterback's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' remarkable comeback win over the Giants. Payton suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told Giants 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,'" the coach stated.
Context of the Coach-QB Relationship
- Wilson was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
- The team finished 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 broadcasting.
- Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the quarterback from getting injured.
If Wilson stayed on the roster by spring 2024, his $37 million salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, marking the contentious breakup between the quarterback and his coach.
