The Denver Broncos pulled off one of the season’s most improbable comebacks on Sunday, erasing a 19-0 deficit to edge past the New York Giants. It was the kind of win that gets remembered for years, especially when sloppy play calling and time management missteps from the Giants made it easier for Sean Payton’s squad to complete the comeback.
However, the postgame conversation shifted quickly to what Payton said afterward. The Broncos head coach appeared to take a subtle jab at his former quarterback, Russell Wilson, while referencing the Giants’ backup who had lost his starting job to rookie Jaxson Dart following an 0-3 start.
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Speaking after Denver’s 33-32 victory, Payton noted that the Giants “found a little spark with” Dart and hinted that a conversation with owner John Mara included wishing to face Wilson instead.
“I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game,'” Payton said.
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Wilson didn’t let that comment slide. A little under 48 hours later, the veteran quarterback fired back on social media with a pointed response.
“Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media,” Wilson wrote on X.
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Two words immediately caught attention: “bounty hunting.” The remark clearly referenced the infamous Bountygate scandal, an alleged illegal bounty scheme tied to the New Orleans Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl season under Payton. That scandal led to Payton receiving a suspension from NFL that sidelined him for the entire 2012 season.
The history between Payton and Wilson runs deeper than just words. After a decade in Seattle, Wilson moved to Denver in 2022, where the Broncos struggled to a 5-12 record and parted ways with head coach Nathaniel Hackett.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (3) before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
Payton took over in 2023, guiding the team to an 8-9 season. Wilson’s time in Denver ended when he left for the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2024 season, before landing with the Giants this year.
The back-and-forth shows that some relationships don’t heal with time. For Wilson and Payton, the wounds from Denver remain fresh.
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