The connection between Russell Wilson and Sean Payton has unraveled into one of many NFL’s most public feuds.
Denver introduced the 2 collectively in 2023, pairing a Tremendous Bowl-winning quarterback with a championship-caliber head coach in hopes of revitalizing the franchise.
As an alternative, the partnership resulted in dysfunction, mutual frustration, and a messy break up that continues to generate headlines practically two years later.
The stress resurfaced after Denver’s 33-32 comeback victory over the New York Giants in Week 7, when Payton’s postgame feedback appeared to take a veiled shot at his former quarterback.
Wilson responded rapidly, referencing lingering points from Payton’s controversial tenure in New Orleans.
Former NFL coach Jay Gruden lately weighed in on the trade, providing little sympathy for Wilson’s determination to interact publicly along with his former coach.
“If Russell was nonetheless broken due to that incident, toughen up. You’re enjoying a tricky place. It’s a person’s recreation, be a person,” Gruden mentioned. “We’re speaking about it now as a result of he responded. If he doesn’t reply, no person’s gonna keep in mind what Sean Payton mentioned on the press convention. It’s lifeless.”
“If Russell was nonetheless broken due to that incident, toughen up. You are enjoying a tricky place. It’s a person’s recreation, be a person.”@Coach_JayGruden and the crew debate if Russ Wilson ought to have responded to Sean Payton. pic.twitter.com/Is1xrCsXCi
— The Enviornment: Gridiron (@ArenaGridiron) October 24, 2025
Payton praised Giants rookie Jaxson Dart following the dramatic comeback win, telling reporters he had spoken with Giants proprietor John Mara and expressed hope for such a quarterback change after Wilson confronted Denver in Week 7.
The feedback triggered speedy backlash on-line and prompted Wilson to fireplace again on X with a pointy reply.
Wilson referred to as Payton’s remarks “classless” and referenced the coach’s involvement within the notorious Saints Bountygate scandal, writing that Payton was nonetheless “bounty searching” by way of the media 15 years later.
The trade reopened wounds from Wilson’s 2023 season in Denver below Payton.
The Broncos completed 7-8 with a struggling offense, and Wilson was benched late within the yr in what many considered as a transfer to keep away from triggering a wage assure.
Denver launched him in March 2024, absorbing over $85 million in lifeless cap house.
Wilson began the 2025 season with the Giants earlier than Dart’s promotion made Payton’s reward really feel particularly pointed.
Many described the remark as a shot disguised as an remark.
Payton later clarified his remarks focused solely Dart, however the friction between coach and quarterback stays a vivid reminder of their fractured partnership.
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