Payton: No intent to offend Wilson with comment

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos manager Sean Payton connected Wednesday said "in nary way, signifier oregon form'' did helium mean to knock Russell Wilson by saying helium had told Giants officials that helium had hoped to look the erstwhile Broncos QB alternatively of rookie Jaxson Dart.

Payton made the archetypal remark aft the Broncos' improbable 33-32 victory against the Giants connected Sunday.

Wilson responded with a post connected X connected Tuesday, saying "Classless... but not surprised.... Didn't recognize you're inactive bounty hunting 15+ years aboriginal done the media,'' followed by laughing emojis and "#LetsRide,'' a catchphrase Wilson utilized astatine times astatine the extremity of his quality conferences portion a subordinate of the Broncos from 2022 to 2023.

"I did (see it),'' Payton said Wednesday. "In the euphoria, the mode that crippled unfolded, that was strictly astir Dart. And that was successful nary way, signifier oregon signifier thing that was directed astatine Russ. And I mightiness beryllium capable to spot however helium mightiness comprehend that. Coming disconnected that triumph and watching however (Dart) played, that wasn't immoderate volition astatine all.''

The Broncos scored 33 points successful the 4th fourth Sunday to travel backmost from a 19-0 deficit. Dart finished the crippled 15-of-33 passing for 283 yards and 3 touchdowns. He besides threw a costly interception to Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad with 4:47 to play, and helium was sacked 4 times.

"I person a ton of respect for (the Giants) organization," Payton said aft the game. "I spent 4 of my aboriginal years determination coordinating a Super Bowl, archetypal crippled successful this stadium earlier 9/11, adjacent with the Mara and Tisch family. They recovered a small spark with that quarterback. I was talking to John Mara not excessively agelong ago, and I said we were hoping that alteration would've happened agelong aft our game."

Wilson was benched aft a Week 3 nonaccomplishment to Kansas City; Dart has started since.

Wilson was traded by the Seahawks to the Broncos successful 2022, but his clip successful Denver ended abruptly erstwhile helium was benched by Payton with 2 games near successful the 2023 season. Wilson, who was 11-19 with the Broncos and failed to marque the playoffs, was yet released successful March of 2024 contempt $85 cardinal successful dormant money.

Some of the hard feelings mightiness stem from Wilson's contention that the Broncos had threatened to seat him earlier successful the 2023 play if helium did not waive an wounded warrant successful his contract. At the time, Wilson had $37 cardinal guaranteed if helium could not walk a carnal connected the 5th time of the caller league twelvemonth successful March 2024.

After Wilson's release, Broncos owner/CEO Greg Penner denied the squad had threatened to seat Wilson implicit the warrant and said it had tried to negociate "in bully faith'' astir immoderate imaginable declaration adjustments. At the time, Wilson said the NFLPA "got involved" and sent a missive to the Broncos stating immoderate specified menace would beryllium a usurpation of the league's corporate bargaining agreement.