Sean Payton clarifies that his comments were ‘strictly’ about Jaxson Dart, not Russell Wilson

Sean Payton attempted to clear the air on his comments from Sunday's game, saying that they were strictly about Jaxson Dart, and not about Russell Wilson

BY TRENT FINNEGAN

Oct 22, 2025, 3:12 PM Updated: 6:56 pm

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Sean Payton and Russell Wilson have a new chapter in their interesting relationship, as the Broncos head coach made a comment that seemed to be directed at his former quarterback after the Broncos took down the New York Giants on Sunday.

#Broncos HC Sean Payton said he recently told #Giants owner John Mara he was hoping they’d turn to Jaxson Dart at QB once their game passes.

High praise for Dart … and a little shade toward Russell Wilson.

(🎥 @SNYGiants) pic.twitter.com/kG6ltDj0Rg

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 20, 2025

Essentially, he was saying that he wished the Giants waited to make the quarterback with from Wilson to rookie Jaxson Dart until after they played Denver. He didn’t elaborate on it, but many people assumed that he meant because he would’ve rather played against the struggling veteran rather than the rookie who has injected some much-needed juice into the Giants organization.

On Tuesday, Wilson fired back at his former coach with a big shot regarding the bounty-hunting scandal that Payton was at the center of during his time with the New Orleans Saints. For Wilson — who is generally a very down-to-Earth guy who doesn’t engage in banter like this — to respond in the manner he did, it’s clear that Payton struck a chord, and it wasn’t a happy one.

Classless… but not surprised….
Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. 😎😂 #LetsRide 🤣

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) October 21, 2025

Wilson even got his patented “Let’s Ride” catchphrase that has been mocked by so many in there.

After Broncos practice on Wednesday, Payton tried to clear the air on the situation, saying how his comments weren’t directed at Wilson, and that he was only trying to focus on Dart with his comments.

Sean Payton on Russell Wilson’s tweet stemming from his comment after the game against the Giants:

“No way shape or form directed at Russ” pic.twitter.com/oQi464KsJe

— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) October 22, 2025

“The way that game unfolded, that was strictly about Dart. That was in no way, shape or form anything that was directed at Russ,” Payton said.

He also mentioned that he could see how Wilson could’ve perceived his comments, but that wasn’t his “intention.”

It was no secret to Broncos Country that Payton wasn’t a fan of Wilson when he was in town, and that likely led to the Broncos taking on the most dead cap money in NFL history at the time when they cut Wilson after the 2023 season. Now, it’s clear that Wilson isn’t Payton’s biggest fan, something that no one could tell throughout the last few years.

Hopefully this is the final episode in this saga and this debate can be put to bed after Wednesday. The Broncos have a big game coming up against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and need to have their head coach fully focused on stopping one of the best offenses in the NFL.