Russell Wilson breaks silence on Sean Payton comments, says criticism felt “classless”

Russell Wilson is not backing down. The New York Giants quarterback revisited his public clash with former Broncos coach Sean Payton and made it clear he meant what he posted. Months after their Week 7 meeting in 2025, Wilson explained why he felt compelled to respond.

The tension between Sean Payton and Russell Wilson remains unresolved, and this time, Wilson spoke at length.

Russell Wilson revisits the Week 7 Sean Payton remark and explains why he responded

Russell Wilson addressed the situation on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast on March 3, 2026. He reflected on his October 2025 tweet that labelled Payton “classless.”“I don’t say much, I hardly ever say anything,” Wilson said on the podcast. “I think there’s a time and place, but sometimes you get fatigued of people talking about you.”

He added that outside noise never bothered him. However, criticism from someone who “has been in the ring” felt different.

The popular QB continued, “But to me, when you’ve been in the ring, or you’ve been on the same side of this, and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean [Payton]. Listen, I got a lot of respect for him as a play call or this and that, but to take a shot I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore.”

The issue began after the Giants’ 33-32 loss to Denver in Week 7 of the 2025 season. Wilson had already lost his starting job in New York after three straight defeats. Rookie Jaxson Dart replaced him before Week 4.Following the narrow win, Payton told reporters he had spoken with Giants co-owner John Mara. “They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said in his postgame press conference. He added that he hoped the quarterback switch would have happened “long after our game.”The comment suggested that Denver preferred to face Wilson rather than Jaxson Dart. Wilson reacted the next day. On Oct. 21, 2025, he posted on X: “Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media.”The reference pointed to Payton’s 2012 suspension during his time with the New Orleans Saints, when the league penalized the franchise over the bounty scandal.

Payton served a one-year suspension.On the March 3 podcast episode, Wilson did not soften his stance. “I got the same amount of rings as you got,” he said, noting both have one Super Bowl title. Wilson won Super Bowl XLVIII with Seattle. Payton won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints.Russell Wilson’s career shifted sharply after Denver released him in March 2024 and absorbed roughly $85 million in dead cap over two seasons. Now with the New York Giants, he fights to reestablish his footing. Sean Payton and Russell Wilson no longer share a locker room. Still, the back-and-forth shows this feud has not faded. Wilson made one thing clear on March 3. If he feels disrespected, he will answer.