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NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, responding to latest comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated on X. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the media."

Wilson's response pointed to the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.

At that time, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the NFL for a full year.

What Sparked the Recent Dispute

Wilson's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' historic 33-32 win over the Giants. Payton suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton implied that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach commented.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before the team brought in Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
• The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the player from suffering an injury.

If Wilson stayed on the roster by spring 2024, his $37 million salary for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, marking the ugly split between the player and his coach.