Russell Wilson fires back at ‘classless’ Sean Payton over Giants QB dig: ‘Still bounty hunting’

Russell Wilson fired back at Sean Payton after the Broncos head coach seemingly shaded him following the Giants’ loss in Denver on Sunday. 

“Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media #LetsRide,” Wilson wrote on X, invoking the Saints’ Bountygate scandal that led to Payton’s suspension for the entire 2012 season after the NFL had found the team paid players for injuring opponents.

In a press conference after the Broncos’ wild 33-32 comeback win over the Giants, Payton appeared to take a dig at Wilson, whom he clashed with during their only season together in Denver in 2023, when talking about New York’s quarterback situation. 

Payton complimented rookie Jaxson Dart, who took over as the Giants’ starter after Wilson started the first three games of this season.

“They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said, referring to Dart. 

“I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game,” Payton continued, seemingly insinuating he would have rather faced off against Wilson over Dart. 

Wilson largely disappointed during his two seasons with the Broncos, going 7-8 in his second year before being benched by Payton in favor of Jarrett Stidham with two games left in the 2023 season. 

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The Broncos then ate $85 million in dead salary cap to cut Wilson, who spent 2024 with the Steelers before coming to the Giants this year. 

Wilson struggled as the Giants’ starter before Dart took the job, throwing for 778 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions with just a 58.9 percent completion rate. 

As Payton said, Dart has brought new life to the Giants since being named the starter ahead of Week 4, going 2-2.