Sean Payton Denies Criticizing Russell Wilson with Dart Comments After QB's Viral Post

After Russell Wilson took to social media in response to comments from Sean Payton, the Denver Broncos head coach explained himself by adding more context to the situation Wednesday.

Following the Broncos' 33-32 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday, Payton told reporters: "They found a little spark with that quarterback. I was talking to John Mara not too long ago and I said we were hoping that change would've happened long after our game."

It wasn't difficult to surmise he was referencing New York's decision to play Jaxson Dart over Wilson, and the veteran posted a message on social media that included the word "classless" and a reference to the New Orleans' Saints Bountygate scandal from when Payton was the head coach:

On Wednesday, Payton told reporters his comments were not meant as a criticism of Wilson but instead just praise for Dart even though he understands why it may have been seen that way.

Wilson's social media post turned heads for multiple reasons.

The reference to Bountygate was notable, as Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 NFL season after the Saints' cash-for-hits bounty program was discovered. But it was also notable because Wilson played for Payton during part of his time with the Broncos.

The Seattle Seahawks traded him to Denver ahead of the 2022 season, and Payton became the head coach in his second year with the AFC West squad. Yet Payton benched him during that 2023 campaign, and the Broncos released him in the ensuing offseason despite $85 million in dead money.

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Wilson was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion during his time with the Seahawks, but his Denver tenure did not go nearly that well.

In fact, he was just 11-19 as a starter and failed to make the playoffs in either of his two seasons. The Wilson-Payton pairing was not as successful as the franchise hoped, and now their relationship is under the spotlight following the latest back-and-forth.

Wilson is now backing up Dart in New York after the Giants decided to make the switch to the rookie after they started 0-3 with the veteran under center. Dart is 2-2 in his starts with seven touchdown passes to three interceptions as well as three scores on the ground as a runner.

That record looked like it was going to be 3-1 when the Giants built a 19-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, but the Broncos scored 33 points in the fourth quarter alone to come away with the dramatic win.