Giants' Russell Wilson fires back at Sean Payton on social media: 'Classless . . . but not surprised'

After the Giants lost to the Broncos Sunday, Broncos coach Sean Payton took a brief shot at Russell Wilson during his postgame remarks. On Tuesday, Wilson responded on social media.

Payton spoke about his respect for the Giants, where he served as quarterbacks coach in 1999 and offensive coordinator from 2000-02. But he added a subtle dig at Wilson, who he coached in 2023.

“[I’m] close with the Mara and Tisch family. They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton told reporters, referring to Jaxson Dart. “I was talking to [Giants president and CEO] John Mara not too long ago and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game’.”

That didn’t sit too well with Wilson, who was benched for the final two games in 2023 for Jarrett Stidham to end his two-year stint with the Broncos. The move was done to avoid Wilson being injured and risk paying him $37 million if he didn’t pass a physical the following March.

Classless… but not surprised….
Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. 😎😂 #LetsRide 🤣

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 21, 2025

“Classless… but not surprised… Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media,” Wilson posted on X while adding three emojis and the Broncos hashtag #LetsRide.

Wilson started the Giants’ first three games, all losses, before being replaced by Dart. The bounty hunting remark refers to the Saints, coached by Payton, being accused of giving bounties to players for injuring opponents from 2009-11. Payton was suspended by the NFL for the 2012 season.