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NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson did not hold back on social media this Tuesday, responding to latest criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not surprised...," Wilson stated via social media. "Had no idea you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."

Wilson's remarks directly referenced the notorious Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.

At that time, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. As a result, Payton received a suspension from the NFL for a full year.

What Sparked the Recent Exchange

Wilson's response came after Payton delivered comments following Denver's remarkable comeback win over the New York. The coach suggested that the team had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Additionally, Payton hinted 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 hoped that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" the coach commented.

Background of the Wilson-Payton Relationship

• The quarterback was traded to the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos went 4-11 in his first season prior to Denver brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
• The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the player from getting injured.

Had Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for the following year would have been locked in. In the end, Wilson was released, ending the contentious split between the quarterback and his coach.