QB Wilson Calls Out Ex-Coach Payton as ‘Classless’
Russell Wilson didn’t hold back in his response to comments made by his former coach, Sean Payton, labeling them as "classless." The simmering tension between the quarterback and his former head coach reignited after Payton’s remarks about hoping to face Wilson during the Denver Broncos’ recent game against the New York Giants. However, instead of Wilson, Payton faced rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has been leading the Giants since Wilson was benched earlier this season.
Payton’s comments, which alluded to wanting to play against Wilson, seemed to have struck a nerve with the typically composed Wilson. The Broncos coach stated he expressed to Giants leadership that he had hoped the quarterback change from Wilson to Dart "would’ve happened long after our game."
Wilson took to social media platform X to express his displeasure. "Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media," Wilson wrote, adding laughing emojis and the hashtag #LetsRide, a catchphrase he popularized during his time with the Broncos.
The "bounty hunting" comment is a direct reference to the infamous "Bountygate" scandal that plagued Payton’s New Orleans Saints from 2009 to 2011. The scandal involved a cash-for-hits program allegedly run by then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, where players were rewarded for injuring opposing players. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season without pay as a result of his involvement.
The Giants’ decision to start Dart came after Wilson was benched following three games. Dart’s arrival has seemingly breathed new life into the Giants’ offense. In the recent game against the Broncos, Dart accounted for four touchdowns, three passing and one rushing.
The game in Denver held a special significance for Wilson, as he previously served as the Giants’ backup quarterback. Before the game, he spent time on the field signing jerseys and memorabilia for both Broncos and Giants fans.
Wilson’s tenure with the Broncos was marked by disappointment and ultimately ended prematurely. The Broncos acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022 with high expectations, but the team struggled to find success under his leadership. After going 11-19 in Wilson’s starts over two seasons and failing to reach the playoffs, the Broncos benched him in 2023, and subsequently released him in the 2024 offseason, despite incurring a substantial $85 million in dead money.
The strained relationship between Wilson and Payton appears to be a significant factor in the quarterback’s strong reaction. Reports suggest that the Broncos had threatened to bench Wilson earlier in the 2023 season if he refused to waive an injury guarantee in his contract. This guarantee stipulated that Wilson would receive $37 million (his 2025 salary) if he failed a physical on the fifth day of the new league year in March 2024.
Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner has denied that the team threatened to bench Wilson over the guarantee, asserting that the organization engaged in "good faith" negotiations regarding potential contract adjustments. Wilson, however, claimed that the NFLPA intervened, sending a letter to the Broncos stating that any such threat would constitute a violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
The war of words between Wilson and Payton highlights the lingering animosity stemming from their time together in Denver. The Broncos’ struggles during Wilson’s tenure, coupled with the reported contract disputes, appear to have created a rift that has yet to heal. Wilson’s pointed "classless" accusation and reference to the "Bountygate" scandal underscore the depth of his frustration and disappointment with his former coach. The public spat adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing narratives surrounding both Wilson and Payton, as they navigate their respective paths in the NFL. The drama serves as a reminder of the complexities and often-fraught relationships that can exist within the high-pressure environment of professional football.
