🔗 Share this article

NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this Tuesday, reacting to recent criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."

Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints.

During that period, the league found that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for one season.

What Sparked the Recent Exchange

The quarterback's response came after Payton made comments after Denver's remarkable comeback victory over the Giants. Payton suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton stated.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• Wilson joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245 million extension.
• The team went 4-11 in his first season prior to the team hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a stint in broadcasting.
• Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the player from getting injured.

If Wilson remained on the roster by spring 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his mentor.