Wilson and Payton Exchange Barbs Following Game

In a whirlwind of tension, the animosity between New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton became evident following the Broncos' narrow 33-32 victory over the Giants. Payton, who coached Wilson during the 2023 season, made headlines with remarks that seemed to indirectly criticize his former player. While addressing the media post-game, he praised rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, suggesting that Dart brought a fresh spark to the team. "They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that that change would've happened long after our game," Payton said.

Wilson quickly took to social media, responding to what many interpreted as a dig from his former coach. In a pointed tweet, he labeled Payton as "classless" and accused him of "still bounty hunting," a reference to Payton's controversial past regarding the New Orleans Saints' bounty scandal, for which he was suspended for an entire season in 2012.

Payton's Apology and Wilson's Decline

Payton accepted responsibility for the scandal, emphasizing player safety and expressing regret for the situation back in 2012. He stated, "I share and fully support the league's concerns and goals on player safety. It is and should be paramount... I am sorry for what happened and, as head coach, take full responsibility." Despite past assurances, the ongoing friction between him and Wilson casts a shadow over their respective careers.

Wilson's journey has been tumultuous since joining the Broncos in a high-profile trade from the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. Despite improving from his disastrous first season, where he was benched with two games left, Wilson's fate seemed sealed following a 7-8 record in 2023 before being released in the offseason, leaving $39 million on the table for 2024.

After a challenging season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he posted 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 11 games, Wilson started the 2025 campaign with the Giants but struggled, losing all three games before being benched in favor of Dart. In his latest performance, Dart threw for impressive numbers, but it wasn’t enough as the Broncos made a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter to seal their victory. As the dust settles from this latest confrontation, both Wilson and Payton now face the task of focusing on their teams and moving forward.