A comment after the Giants game last season brought attention back to Russell Wilson and Sean Payton’s past. Although Wilson did not play against Denver, he still ended up reacting after comments from his former coach.

"Classless… but not surprised….Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. 😎😂 #LetsRide 🤣," Wilson tweeted in October 2025. 

The response came after Payton spoke following Denver's 33-32 win over the Giants at Empower Field at Mile High. While discussing the then-rookie Jaxson Dart, the Broncos coach also referenced New York's quarterback change.

"I was talking to (Giants owner) John Mara not too long ago, and I said, 'We were hoping that (quarterback) change would have happened long after our game,'" Payton said.

The situation also has some history behind it. Wilson joined Denver before the 2022 season and later played under Payton in 2023. He started the first 15 games that year and had a 7-8 record before being benched for the final two games.

After Wilson’s benching, he said the Broncos had asked him to make changes to the injury guarantee in his contract. However, the team said football decisions and contract talks were separate matters.

But when Payton made comments on the Giants' decision to start Dart instead of Wilson, the veteran QB took a dig at Payton by referencing the bounty controversy from 2012 that resulted in Payton being suspended.

The discussion later came up again when Wilson looked back on the incident and explained his reaction in more detail.

Russell Wilson Looks Back on Sean Payton’s Comments

Russell Wilson later addressed the situation during an appearance on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast.

“I don’t say much. I hardly ever say anything. I think there’s a time and place,” said Wilson in March. “But sometimes you get fatigued of people talking about you."

Wilson is a Super Bowl champion; he won the big game with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 season. Payton has a Super Bowl ring as well, from his time with the New Orleans Saints.

"[When] you've been on the same side or this and that and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean. I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don't like. I don't think it's necessary," Wilson added.

Currently, Wilson is a free agent after his contract with the Giants ended with the 2025 season.

What do you think about the situation between Russell Wilson and Sean Payton? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore