Giants' Russell Wilson fires back at 'classless' Sean Payton postgame comments
Giantsquarterback Russell Wilson took some time to respond to comments made by Broncos head coach Sean Payton on Sunday.
"Classless...but not surprised," Wilson wrote on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. "Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media."
When speaking about the Giants' organization and the respect he had for the team's ownership, Payton praised rookie QB Jaxson Dart for giving the team a spark, but at the same time, put down Wilson and his recent play.
They found a little spark with [Dart]. I was talking to John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game."
While Wilson didn't mention Payton by name, it's clear he was responding to the Denver coach for his subtle jab after the Giants' 33-32 loss.
Sean Payton talks about the Giants' organization and his respect for the Mara and Tisch families:
- Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 20, 2025
"They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'we were hoping that that change would've happened long after our game.'" pic.twitter.com/Zk7TVXs1xY
The bounty hunting line is referencing Payton's part in the New Orleans Saints' "bountygate" scandal when then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams had a bounty program that rewarded players for certain plays, which included hurting the opposition. Payton was suspended for one year as the program was under his watch.
In his first season with the Giants, the veteran quarterback played the first three weeks, throwing three touchdowns but also three interceptions while failing to give New York a consistent offense. After a 0-3 start, coach Brian Daboll benched Wilson for Dart and the Giants are 2-2 with impressive wins against the Chargers and Eagles under his belt.
But this response is just another chapter in the Payton and Wilson story. Payton was hired by the Broncos ahead of the 2023-24 season, and Wilson was his quarterback. However, he went 7-8 as the starting quarterback, and the Broncos parted ways with Wilson after the season. Wilson would sign with the Steelers and help lead them to a playoff berth before signing with the Giants this offseason.