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New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson didn't mince words on social media this week, reacting to latest comments from his former coach Sean Payton.

"Classless... but not shocked...," Wilson declared on X. "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.

During that period, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering aggressive tackles on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for one season.

What Sparked the Recent Exchange

The quarterback's reaction came after Payton delivered remarks following the Broncos' historic comeback victory over the New York. The coach remarked that the Giants had "found a little spark" with their new QB, who has taken over Wilson as the starting quarterback.

Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed Giants owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.

"I spoke to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" the coach stated.

Background of the Coach-QB Relationship

• The quarterback was traded to the Broncos from the Seahawks in 2022 and inked a 5-year, $245 million contract.
• The team went 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before the team hired Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
• The coach replaced Wilson late into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the quarterback from getting injured.

Had Wilson stayed on the team by March 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was released, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his coach.