Russell Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Remarks
NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this week, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.
"Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."
Wilson's remarks directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.
During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.
The Cause of the Latest Dispute
The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered comments after Denver's historic 33-32 victory over the New York. Payton remarked that the team had "discovered new energy" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.
Additionally, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.
"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" Payton stated.
Background of the Wilson-Payton Partnership
- The quarterback was traded to the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract.
- The team went 4-11 in his first season prior to the team hired Payton, who was returning to coaching after a period in broadcasting.
- Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that ensured the player from getting injured.
Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was let go, ending the ugly split between the player and his mentor.
