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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this week, reacting to recent comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared on X. "Had no idea you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the press."

Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.

At that time, the league determined that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the league for a full year.

What Sparked the Latest Exchange

The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered comments after Denver's historic 33-32 victory over the Giants. The coach remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton hinted that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.

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

Context of the Coach-QB Partnership

• The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
• The team finished 4-11 in his debut year before Denver brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a period in TV commentary.
• Payton benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the player from suffering an injury.

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