Sean Payton tempers feud with Russell Wilson, says comments were about Jaxson Dart
The public exchanges between Sean Payton and his former quarterback, Russell Wilson, extended well beyond the Week 7 game between the Broncos and Giants. As expected, Payton responded to Wilson calling Broncos coach ‘classless’ on social networks – this, in response to comments made by Payton after last Sunday’s spectacular victory against the Giants, for whom Wilson is the backup to Jaxson Dart.
Wilson clearly objected to Payton saying he had hoped the Giants wouldn’t have replaced Wilson with Dart until “long after our game,” but Payton responded Wednesday that his original comment “was strictly about Dart” and “in no way, shape or form was anything directed at Russ.”
“I might be able to see how he might perceive that, but after this win and looking at how [Dart] played, it was not [my] intention at all,” Payton said.
While Payton enjoyed a legendary partnership with Drew Brees during their years with the Saints, he and Wilson had one of the ugliest coach-quarterback relationships in NFL history. Even the feud between former Cowboys coach Barry Switzer and quarterback Troy Aikman seemed tame by comparison.
Russell Wilson and Sean Payton’s feud explained: How years of tension led QB to call his ex-coach ‘classless’
Cody Benjamin
After two tumultuous years together, Payton and Wilson both got what they wanted: a breakup and a fresh start with someone else. Payton has found success again with second-year quarterback Bo Nix, who appears poised to lead the Broncos back to the playoffs for a second straight year.
Conversely, Wilson is trying to find his professional footing after having his ups and downs in Pittsburgh and losing his job this season in New York to Dart, who appears to be this year’s version of Nix.
