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

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

Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009 to 2011, when Payton was coaching the Saints.

At that time, the league determined that the Saints had incentivized team members for delivering hard hits on opponents. Consequently, Payton was suspended from the league for a full year.

The Cause of the Recent Exchange

The quarterback's response came after Payton delivered remarks following the Broncos' remarkable 33-32 win over the Giants. The coach remarked that the team had "discovered new energy" with Jaxson Dart, who has taken over Wilson as the first-string QB.

Moreover, Payton hinted that he had informed team owner John Mara that he would prefer facing Wilson instead of Dart.

"I was talking to John Mara recently and I said, 'We were hoping that change would've happened long after our game,'" the coach commented.

Context of the Wilson-Payton Partnership

• The quarterback was traded to the Denver from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M contract.
• The Broncos finished 4 wins and 11 losses in his debut year before Denver brought in Payton, who was returning to coaching after a stint in broadcasting.
• Payton replaced Wilson 15 games into the 2023 season, a move that prevented the player from getting injured.

If Wilson stayed on the roster by March 2024, his $37M salary for 2025 would have been guaranteed. In the end, Wilson was released, ending the contentious breakup between the player and his coach.