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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this Tuesday, responding to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."

The quarterback's remarks pointed to the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.

During that period, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for making aggressive tackles on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.

The Cause of the Latest Exchange

The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered remarks after Denver's historic 33-32 win over the New York. The coach suggested that the Giants had "discovered new energy" 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 playing against Wilson over Dart.

"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened long after our game,'" the coach commented.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• Wilson joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
• The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year prior to Denver brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
• The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a move that ensured the quarterback from suffering an injury.

Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the ugly breakup between the quarterback and his mentor.