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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on online platforms this week, reacting to latest criticism from his ex-mentor Sean Payton.

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

The quarterback's remarks pointed to the notorious bounty scandal issue from 2009 to 2011, when Payton led the Saints.

During that period, 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 one season.

What Sparked the Latest Dispute

Wilson's response came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 victory over the New York. The coach remarked that the team had "found a little spark" with Jaxson Dart, who has replaced Wilson as the first-string QB.

Additionally, Payton hinted that he had told Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson over Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that change would've happened well after our game,'" Payton stated.

Context of the Coach-QB Relationship

• The quarterback joined the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and signed a five-year, $245 million contract.
• The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before the team brought in Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
• The coach replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a decision that prevented the quarterback from suffering an injury.

If Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37 million salary for the following year would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was released, marking the ugly split between the quarterback and his mentor.