Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton clarified this Wednesday that his statements were not intended to criticize Russell Wilson. Payton explained that his comments after the Broncos’ victory over the Giants focused on the performance of the Giants’ young quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Coach Payton made these statements after the Broncos’ 33-32 victory against the Giants. Wilson responded to Payton’s comments on social media, calling them “classless”. Payton, when asked about Wilson’s reaction, replied: “I saw what he said. In the heat of the game, that referred only to Dart. I had no intention of addressing Russ. I understand how he could perceive it. After that victory and seeing how Dart played, that was not my intention.” The Broncos pulled off an impressive comeback on Sunday, scoring 33 points in the final quarter after being down 19-0. Dart, for his part, completed 15 of 33 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns, but also threw a crucial interception and was sacked four times.
Wilson was a substitute after a Week 3 loss against Kansas City; Dart has been the starter since then. Wilson was traded by the Seahawks to the Broncos in 2022, but his time in Denver ended abruptly when Payton benched him for the last two games of the 2023 season. Wilson, with an 11-19 record with the Broncos and failing to reach the playoffs, was finally released in March 2024 despite having $85 million in dead money. Part of the resentments could stem from Wilson’s claim that the Broncos had threatened to bench him earlier in the 2023 season if he didn’t waive an injury guarantee in his contract. At that time, Wilson was guaranteed $37 million if he couldn’t pass a physical on the fifth day of the new league year in March 2024. After Wilson’s release, Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner denied the team had threatened to bench Wilson over the guarantee and said he had tried to negotiate “in good faith” about any potential contractual adjustment. At that time, Wilson said the NFLPA “got involved” and sent a letter to the Broncos stating that such a threat would be a violation of the league’s collective bargaining agreement.I have a lot of respect for the Giants organization. I spent four years there, coordinating a Super Bowl. I was talking to John Mara recently and told him we were hoping that change would happen after our game.
Sean Payton
