🔗 Share this article Russell Wilson Fires Back at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, reacting to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton. "Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press." The quarterback's response pointed to the notorious Bounty Gate issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints. During that period, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year. What Sparked the Latest Exchange Wilson's response came after Payton made comments after Denver's remarkable comeback victory over the New York. Payton suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback. Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told team owner John Mara that he would rather facing Wilson instead of Dart. "I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented. Background of the Coach-QB Relationship The quarterback joined the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M extension. The Broncos went 4-11 in his debut year before the team hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a stint in broadcasting. Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a decision that prevented the player from suffering an injury. If Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his coach.