Russell Wilson hit back at Sean Payton on social media on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the Denver Broncos coach slammed the New York Giants’ backup quarterback for losing his starting job to rookie Jackson Dart after an 0-3 start.
“No class… but that’s not surprising….” Wilson said of X: “I didn’t know you were still bounty hunting through the media more than 15 years later.”
Wilson took his own jab at Payton, who had a bad season in 2023, by referencing the “Bounty Gate” scandal from 2009-11 with the New Orleans Saints.
In 2012, the NFL found that teams compensated players who hit opponents with the intent to injure them, and Payton was suspended for a year.
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Highlights from Week 7 of the 2025 season between the New York Giants and Denver Broncos.
Payton said he “found a little spark” with Dart, who became the Giants’ starter after Denver’s historic 33-32 comeback win on Sunday, and hinted that part of his conversation with New York owner John Mara included him wanting to face Wilson instead.
“I was talking with John Mara the other day and he said, ‘We were hoping to make a change long after the game ended,’” Payton said.
Wilson joined the Broncos in a trade from Seattle in 2022 and signed a five-year, $245 million (£183 million) contract extension. In Denver’s first season before hiring Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in broadcasting, they went 4-11.
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Scott Pioli and Ndamukong Suh discuss whether Russell Wilson has done enough to make the Hall of Fame.
Payton benched Wilson for 15 games, a move that ensured the QB wouldn’t get injured. If Wilson had been on the list by March 17, 2024, his 2025 salary would have been guaranteed at $37m (£27m).
Wilson was released to end an ugly breakup between the veteran coach and the player who each won a Super Bowl.
Wilson, now just a month shy of turning 37, signed a free agent contract with the Giants after spending last season in Pittsburgh.
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