Russell Wilson publicly slams NFL head coach Sean Payton after the Denver Broncos leader seemingly stated 'classless' comments regarding the New York Giants signal caller
23:57 ET, 21 Oct 2025
Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 9, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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Russell Wilson responded on social media to Sean Payton's supposed dig at the quarterback(Image: Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Russell Wilson took to social media to hit back at Sean Payton after the latter seemingly took a subtle shot at the former Denver Broncos quarterback.
Wilson spent two ill-fated seasons in Denver before being cut by the team and landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a year in which he led the Steelers to a 6-5 record as the starter, the quarterback signed with the New York Giants in hopes of revitalizing his career.
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However, the signal-caller was soon benched for Jaxson Dart, with the Giants hoping the rookie could be more successful than Russell. Following the Broncos' improbable 33-32 win over the Giants, Payton addressed the situation at MetLife Stadium, leading the veteran to respond in his own way.
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"Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. #LetsRide," Wilson wrote on X, with a smiling sunglass, a crying laughing emoji, and a rolling while laughing emoji.
The Giants quarterback's comments come after Payton appeared to have taken a dig at the former Broncos QB. Following New York's collapse against Denver, Payton took a moment to discuss the team's quarterbacks and explained how the head coach hoped the Giants would have started Wilson.
"I have a ton of respect for that organization," he said to reporters after the win. "They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game."
Sean Payton seemingly took a shot at Russell Wilson after the Denver Broncos' most recent win
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Payton seemingly took a shot at Wilson after the Nwe York Giants' collapse against the Denver Broncos(Image: YouTube: @Denver Broncos)
Regarding Wilson's comment, the veteran quarterback is referring to how, from 2009 to 2012, Payton, then the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, was part of an alleged program in which players would receive bonuses for knocking an opposing player out of the game.
Payton and various members of the Saints organization were penalized for their part in the alleged program. For his part, the head coach was suspended for the entirety of the 2012 season, the first time a head coach served a a league-imposed ban.
As a result, Payton released a statement on the incident and noted that he should have been better in ensuring that his organization followed the league's rules, especially as it pertained to player safety.
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“I share and fully support the league’s concerns and goals on player safety,’’ Payton said at the time, per ESPN.
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“It is and should be paramount. Respecting our great game and the NFL shield is extremely important to me. Our organization will implement all necessary protections and protocols and I will be more vigilant going forward. I am sorry for what happened and, as head coach, take full responsibility.
"Finally I want to thank (Saints owner Tom Benson), our players and all Saints fans for their overwhelming support.’’
The Broncos will be back in action against the Dallas Cowboys, while the Giants are set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles.