Veteran NFL quarterback Russell Wilson lashed out at his former coach on Tuesday, calling Sean Payton “classless” for his comments after the New York Giants’ historic collapse on Sunday — and reminding football fans of Payton’s role in the notorious “Bountygate” scandal.
The beef between Wilson, now a backup with the Giants, and Payton, now the coach for the Denver Broncos, stems from a long, miserable season the pair endured together during their 2023 campaign in the Mile High City.
The bad feelings flared up moments after Payton’s Broncos pulled off a miraculous rally on Sunday, beating New York 33-32 in a game that Denver trailed by 18 with six minutes left.
Even in defeat, rookie Giants QB Jaxson Dart had an impressive game, throwing for 283 yards and three touchdowns. Dart took over for Wilson as starting QB in Week 4.
The Giants “found a little spark with” Dart, Payton said after his team’s epic rally on Sunday.
“I was talking to [New York Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game,’” Payton told reporters.
The not-so-subtle dig against Wilson wasn’t lost on the QB.
“Classless…but not surprised,” Wilson wrote on X on Tuesday. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media.”
Wilson’s “bounty hunting” clapback was a clear reference to the Payton’s time in charge of the New Orleans Saints, when he and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams incentivized their players to intentionally injure key opponents, the NFL found.
The so-called “Bountygate” scandal led to Payton’t suspension for the entire 2012 season.
Payton came back to coach the Saints in 2013 and finished his 15-year run in New Orleans in the 2021 season.
The Broncos hired Payton to be their head coach in 2023, inheriting the longtime Seattle Seahawks QB as his starting signal caller.
Wilson started in 30 games during his two Denver seasons with the Broncos, winning just 11 of those contests in 2022 and 2023. Payton benched Wilson for the final two games of that 2023 season.
Denver cut Wilson in early 2024 even though he was still under contract, essentially paying him almost $39 million to not play for the Broncos in 2024.
Wilson, 36, played for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year before going to the Giants and starting the first three games of 2025.
The Giants benched Wilson after an 0-3 start and Dart has led New York back to respectability, winning two of the next four games — including a surprising victory over the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago.
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