Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton stated on Wednesday that “no way, shape, or form” did he want to criticize Russell Wilson. Payton explained that his previous comments were solely focused on the Giants’ young quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Payton’s original comments came after the Broncos’ 33-32 victory against the Giants on Sunday.
Wilson responded on Tuesday with a post on X, where he expressed: “Classless… but not surprised… Didn’t realize you were still bounty hunting over 15 years later through the media,” followed by laughing emojis and “#LetsRide”, a phrase Wilson used to use at the end of his press conferences while a member of the Broncos from 2022 to 2023.The Broncos scored 33 points in the last quarter on Sunday to overcome a 19-0 deficit. Dart completed the game with 15 of 33 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw a costly interception to Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad with 4:47 left, and was sacked four times. Wilson was a substitute after the 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 with two games left in the 2023 season. Wilson, who had an 11-19 record with the Broncos and failed to make the playoffs, was ultimately released in March 2024 despite having $85 million in dead money.I saw that. In the euphoria, the way that game unfolded, that was strictly about Dart. And that was in no way, shape, or form anything that was directed at Russ. And I could see how he could perceive that. Coming off that win and seeing how Dart played, that was no intention at all.
Sean Payton
