🔗 Share this article

New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, reacting to recent comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."

Wilson's remarks pointed to the notorious Bounty Gate controversy from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the Saints.

At that time, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.

The Cause of the Latest Dispute

Wilson's response came after Payton delivered comments following the Broncos' remarkable comeback victory over the Giants. 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 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 long after our game,'" Payton commented.

Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• Wilson was traded to the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M extension.
• The team went 4-11 in his first season prior to the team hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a period in broadcasting.
• Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the player from getting injured.

If Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million pay for 2025 would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, marking the ugly breakup between the player and his mentor.