Russell Wilson Responds at Former Coach Sean Payton Regarding Jaxson Dart Remarks
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this Tuesday, reacting to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."
The quarterback's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints.
At that time, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for one season.
What Sparked the Latest Exchange
The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered comments after Denver's historic 33-32 victory over the New York. Payton suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson over Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" the coach stated.
Background of the Coach-QB Relationship
- Wilson joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a five-year, $245M contract.
- The team finished 4-11 in his first season prior to the team brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a period in broadcasting.
- The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the player from getting injured.
Had Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37M pay for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his mentor.
