Giants QB Russell Wilson calls Broncos HC Sean Payton 'classless' after perceived dig

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2025-10-21

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Known to be careful with his comments, Russell Wilson didn’t hold back on Tuesday.

The New York Giants veteran quarterback came off the top rope in response to a perceived dig from his former Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, lambasting him as “classless” while also referencing the coach’s 2012 suspension in a social media post.

“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson wrote. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later though the media.”

Wilson, now the Giants backup behind rookie Jaxson Dart, was the team’s starter at the season’s onset. He was benched in favor of Dart after three games this season. On Sunday, Payton’s Broncos rallied for an improbable 33-32 win over the Giants. Dart led New York to 19-0 and 26-8 advantages, but Denver scored all 33 of its points in the fourth quarter for the victory despite a Dart score with 37 seconds left.

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Following the game, Payton was complimentary of the rookie dynamo, while also seeming to offer a veiled shot at Wilson.

“You know, they found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said postgame Sunday in reference to Dart. “I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game.’ “

Payton’s comments are an obvious compliment to Dart, but could also be seen as a dig at Wilson, as he indicated he would’ve preferred playing against the Giants’ previous starter rather than the 2025 first-rounder.

Wilson’s reaction seemed a bit out of character as he’s normally reserved and cautious with his words. When it comes to Payton, perhaps that’s not the case for the 36-year-old quarterback.

Payton and Wilson had an infamous prearranged marriage in Denver that ended with a messy divorce. A year after Wilson was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos and signed a massive extension, Payton was hired to replace Nathanial Hackett, who was fired after one season. The two clearly weren’t a good mix and Wilson was eventually benched for the last two games of the 2023 season before he was released in the offseason.

Payton and the Broncos drafted Bo Nix in the first round in 2024, while Wilson spent one year with the Steelers before moving to the Giants, who now appear to have their franchise QB of the future in Dart.

Wilson struggled out of the gates with Big Blue, producing a 0-3 record as a starter, completing 58.9% of his passes for 786 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.