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New York Giants signal-caller Russell Wilson did not hold back on online platforms this week, responding to latest comments from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

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

Wilson's response pointed to the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009-11, when Payton led the Saints.

At that time, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for making aggressive tackles on rival teams. As a result, Payton was suspended from the NFL for a full year.

What Sparked the Latest Dispute

Wilson's reaction came after Payton made comments after Denver's historic comeback victory over the New York. The coach suggested that the team had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.

Additionally, Payton implied that he had told team owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson over Dart.

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

Background of the Coach-QB Relationship

• The quarterback joined the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245M extension.
• The Broncos went 4-11 in his first season before Denver hired Payton, who was returning to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
• The coach benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the player from suffering an injury.

If Wilson remained on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million pay for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious split between the quarterback and his coach.