đź”— Share this article Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Jaxson Dart Comments NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, responding to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton. "Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media." The quarterback's remarks directly referenced the notorious bounty scandal controversy from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the Saints. At that time, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for making aggressive tackles on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year. The Cause of the Recent Exchange The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered remarks after the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 win over the Giants. The coach remarked that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB. Additionally, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson instead of Dart. "I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" the coach stated. Background of the Coach-QB Partnership The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245 million extension. The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in broadcasting. Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the quarterback from getting injured. If Wilson remained on the team by spring 2024, his $37 million salary for 2025 would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious split between the player and his mentor.