đź”— Share this article Giants QB Wilson Responds at Ex-Mentor Sean Payton Over Quarterback Comments NY Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, reacting to latest comments from his former coach Sean Payton. "Tasteless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared on X. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press." The quarterback's remarks directly referenced the infamous bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the New Orleans Saints. During that period, the NFL found that the Saints had rewarded team members for delivering hard hits on opponents. As a result, Payton was suspended from the league for one season. The Cause of the Recent Exchange The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's remarkable 33-32 victory over the New York. The coach remarked that the team had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB. Moreover, Payton implied that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson over Dart. "I spoke to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach stated. Background of the Coach-QB Relationship The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and signed a 5-year, $245M contract. The team finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to coaching after a period in broadcasting. The coach benched Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the player from suffering an injury. If Wilson remained on the team by March 2024, his $37M pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the contentious breakup between the quarterback and his mentor.