For a quarterback often criticized for being overly polished and corporate, Russell Wilson is making it clear he’s done staying quiet, especially when it comes to his former coach, Sean Payton. Now, the Giants quarterback is doubling down on his response and explaining why he felt the need to push back in the first place.

“I don’t say much, I hardly ever say anything,” Wilson said on Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, referring to his old tweet on Payton. “I think there’s a time and place, but sometimes you get fatigued of people talking about you. It’s one thing for people who maybe aren’t in the field or people who say bots or whatever, talking like I don’t worry about that stuff, like that’s never going to happen.”

He went on to say, “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.”

For those unfamiliar, the tension dates back to October when Payton took a dig at Wilson after the Giants’ 33-32 loss to Denver in Week 7. At the time, Wilson served as a backup signal caller behind Jaxson Dart. The team had benched Russell ahead of Week 4 after suffering three consecutive losses with him in the starting role.

“They found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton told the press. “I was talking to (Giants co-owner) John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that change would have happened long after our game.”

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The timing of the comment made it clear Payton preferred facing Wilson over the replacement. His remarks struck a nerve with Wilson, who later vented his frustration on social media. Interestingly, he still stands by what he said.

Russell Wilson remains unapologetic about his tweet

Russell Wilson played just one season under Payton in Denver after he replaced Nathaniel Hackett in 2023. However, the partnership ended poorly, as Wilson spent the latter part of the season on the bench. Despite his 3000-yard performance, the Broncos ended up releasing him in 2024. His exit triggered the largest dead cap in league history, with Denver owing him $85 million over two seasons.

While the Broncos finalized his release in January, Payton apparently still held grudges. After his comment last year, Wilson didn’t hold back.

“Classless… but not surprised….” he tweeted on X on October 21. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media.”

He referenced Payton’s 2012 bounty scandal during his time with the New Orleans Saints. That year, the league found him and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams guilty of targeting opposing players. The program rewarded Saints players with cash bonuses for hits that sidelined specific opponents. The total amount had reached around $50,000 in 2009, the same year the Saints won the Super Bowl.

Payton faced a one-year suspension, while Williams received an indefinite ban for his role. After the NFL announced the punishment, the coach and general manager, Mickey Loomis, took responsibility. Payton and Loomis admitted that the violations took place “under their watch.” Meanwhile, Payton later insisted his words were “strictly” about Jaxson Dart and not meant as a personal attack.

Wilson’s unapologetic stance on the podcast confirms the feud is far from over, leaving the door open for another public clash should Payton choose to respond.