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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this week, responding to recent criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated on X. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."

The quarterback's remarks pointed to the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.

During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for making aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.

The Cause of the Latest Exchange

Wilson's response came after Payton made comments after Denver's remarkable comeback win over the New York. Payton remarked that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Additionally, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach stated.

Context of the Coach-QB Relationship

• Wilson was traded to the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos finished 4-11 in his debut year before Denver hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a period in broadcasting.
• Payton benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the quarterback from suffering an injury.

Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his coach.