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NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this Tuesday, reacting to latest comments from his former coach Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson declared via social media. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."

Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.

During that period, the league found that the Saints had incentivized team members for making hard hits on rival teams. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the league for one season.

The Cause of the Recent Exchange

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

Moreover, Payton implied that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson over Dart.

"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and signed a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos finished 4-11 in his debut year before Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
• Payton replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that ensured the quarterback from getting injured.

If Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million pay for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious split between the quarterback and his mentor.