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Sean Payton responds to Russell Wilson calling him 'classless'

Barkley-Truaxby: Barkley Truax17 hours agoBarkleyTruax
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Dec 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before the game against the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos scored 33 points in the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Giants 33-32 in a miraculous comeback. During the postgame press conference, head coach Sean Payton appeared to throw a bit of shade toward Giants QB Russell Wilson.

Wilson, who played for Payton for one season with the Broncos, called his former head coach “classless,” but that he wasn’t surprised. He also called out the Broncos headman for “bounty hunting through the media,” in reference to the bounty scandal tied to Payton during his time leading the franchise.

On Wednesday, Payton said that he saw the comments from his former QB. Payton clarified that his own comments were directed in praise of Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart, stating that the former Ole Miss star provided the team with a spark since he’s been in.

Wilson was bench in favor of the first-round draft choice after three games. Payton also said that he told Giants owner John Mara that he had wished the QB change “would have happened long after our game.”

“The euphoria, the way that game unfolded, that was strictly about Dart,” Payton told reporters on Wednesday. “That was in no way, shape or form directed at Russ. I might be able to see how he would perceive that. But coming off that win and watching how he played. That wasn’t any intention at all.”

In his time as a starter under Payton, Russell Wilson finished 7-8 and failed to lead Denver to the playoffs. After the hype surrounding his arrival in Denver following a Super Bowl-winning stint with the Seahawks, it ended up being a short-lived working relationship between the two.

Wilson was benched by Payton with two games left in the 2023 regular season and was released that offseason. He’s since played for the Steelers and now the Giants.

Still, Wilson got his shot in on his former head coach. Referencing the “Bountygate” scandal is something that will always follow Payton’s legacy as a head coach. The scandal saw New Orleans Saints defensive players paid out bonuses for targeting opposing players and knocking them out of the game. Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season as a result.

The Broncos improved to 5-2 following the comeback victory. Meanwhile, Wilson will remain as the Giants backup and will mentor Dart for the rest of his rookie season. It remains to be seen what’s next for Wilson in his NFL career.