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NY Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this Tuesday, reacting to recent criticism from his former coach Sean Payton.

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

Wilson's remarks pointed to the infamous bounty scandal controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.

At that time, the NFL determined that the Saints had incentivized players for delivering hard hits on opponents. Consequently, Payton received a suspension from the league for a full year.

The Cause of the Recent Dispute

The quarterback's reaction came after Payton made remarks after Denver's historic comeback win over the Giants. The coach suggested that the Giants had "discovered new energy" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton hinted that he had told team owner John Mara that he would rather playing against Wilson instead of 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 commented.

Context of the Coach-QB Partnership

• The quarterback was traded to the Denver from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos went 4 wins and 11 losses in his first season before the team hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a period in TV commentary.
• The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 season, a decision that ensured the quarterback from getting injured.

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