https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/russell-wilson-snaps-back-at-former-coach-sean-payton-after-broncos-win-over-giants-his-jaxson-dart-praise-214246704.html
Russell Wilson isn’t happy with his former head coach.
Wilson called out Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton on social media on Tuesday over comments he made following their win over Wilson and the New York Giants on Sunday. Wilson even made a “bounty gate” reference, bringing up the scandal that led to Payton being suspended for the entire 2012 season.
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“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson wrote. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media.”
The issue apparently stemmed from comments Payton made on Sunday after the team’s wild 33-32 win over the Giants, in which he praised rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart — who replaced Wilson earlier this season. Payton did not mention Wilson by name.
“They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said. “I was talking to [Giants co-owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game.’”
Now in Payton’s defense, the Giants have found a little spark with Dart running their offense. After an 0-3 start with Wilson at quarterback, the team made the switch to Dart and immediately won two of their next three games — one of which came against the defending Super Bowl champions. They nearly beat the Broncos, too, but gave up 33 points in the fourth quarter alone and blew an 18-point lead.
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In his four games as a starter, Dart has thrown for seven touchdowns and three interceptions while completing just better than 60% of his passes. But more importantly, he’s got the Giants their first two wins of the year.
Clearly, though, Wilson still has issues with his former head coach. Wilson spent two seasons with the Broncos, one of which when Payton led the team, and they went just 7-8 under his watch before Payton benched him in favor of Jarrett Stidham. The Broncos later released Wilson, and took an $85 million hit in dead money after initially signing him to a five-year deal. That led to Wilson landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a year before eventually signing with the Giants.
Clearly, even a few years later, Wilson and Payton still aren’t on good terms. But with Dart now leading the way in New York, Wilson didn’t get the chance to beat his former coach on the field this fall. And at this point in his career, he may not get that opportunity.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/breaking-news/article/russell-wilson-snaps-back-at-former-coach-sean-payton-after-broncos-win-over-giants-his-jaxson-dart-praise-214246704.html
