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Broncos head coach Sean Payton denied that he was taking a shot at Russell Wilson in a comment following Denver’s shocking win over the Giants on Sunday, which spurred a war of words between the ex-Mile High City QB and the bench boss.
Payton told reporters on Wednesday that “in no way, shape or form” was he intending to criticize Wilson with his words, which drew a fierce response from Wilson himself, calling the Broncos coach “classless” in a post on X on Monday.
“I did [see it],” Payton said when it was asked if he had seen Wilson’s social media post. “In the euphoria, the way that game unfolded, that was strictly about [Jaxson] Dart. And that was in no way, shape or form anything that was directed at Russ. And I might be able to see how he might perceive that. Coming off that win and watching how [Dart] played, that wasn’t any intention at all.”
The comment that sparked the back and forth came when Payton was talking about the Giants and how they had “found a little spark” with Dart under center, with the coach mentioning that he had wished the Giants had waited to turn to the rookie.
“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,” Payton said about the Giants’ quarterback situation following Denver’s upset win.
The comment appeared to be a subtle dig at Wilson, who started the season at QB for the Giants.
He previously played a season under Payton in 2023 in Denver before he was released.
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Wilson wasn’t the only one who took issue with Payton’s words, either, with ESPN’s Michael Wilbon eviscerating him on “Pardon the Interruption” on Wednesday.
“Sean Payton is a really, really, really fine coach,” Wilbon said. “Except Sean Payton behaves, too often, like a classless bum. That’s what he behaves like.”
“Sean Payton, who do you think you are?” Wilbon later added. “You ain’t that good where you can just take shots at people.”
“I wish Russell Wilson had gone further.”
The Broncos and Giants don’t play against each other this season (unless they met in the Super Bowl), so any chance for revenge by Wilson will have to wait.
