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

"Tasteless... but not shocked...," Wilson stated via social media. "Didn't realize you're still offering rewards 15+ years later through the press."

Wilson's response directly referenced the infamous Bounty Gate controversy from 2009-11, when Payton was coaching the New Orleans Saints.

At that time, the league found that the Saints had rewarded players for delivering aggressive tackles on rival teams. Consequently, Payton received a suspension from the league for one season.

What Sparked the Recent Exchange

Wilson's reaction came after Payton made comments after the Broncos' remarkable comeback victory over the New York. Payton suggested that the team 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 team owner John Mara that he would prefer playing against Wilson instead of Dart.

"I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said, 'We hoped that the switch would've happened well after our game,'" Payton commented.

Context of the Coach-QB Relationship

• The quarterback joined the Broncos from Seattle in 2022 and inked a five-year, $245M extension.
• The team finished 4-11 in his debut year before Denver hired Payton, who was coming back to the sidelines after a stint in TV commentary.
• Payton benched Wilson 15 games into the 2023 campaign, a move that prevented the quarterback from suffering an injury.

If Wilson remained on the team by March 2024, his $37 million salary for the following year would have been locked in. Ultimately, Wilson was let go, ending the contentious split between the quarterback and his coach.