Broncos Coach Acknowledges Giants’ Rookie After Comeback Win

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton presented rookie quarterback Jackson Dart of the New York Giants with flowers following a thrilling comeback victory for the Broncos on Sunday.

Payton, however, seemed more inclined to compare Dart’s impact to that of veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been sidelined. “They found something with that quarterback,” he remarked at the postgame press conference, reflecting on the game’s aftermath. He recalled a conversation with Giants owner John Mara, who mentioned potential changes that could come even after the match.

While Payton’s comments could be interpreted as merely recognizing Dart’s effectiveness—especially since the Giants held a significant 26-8 lead late in the fourth quarter—Wilson didn’t take kindly to them. Their history is well-documented, leading Wilson to label Payton’s remarks as “undignified.” He took to social media, saying, “Unclassified…but I wasn’t surprised…I never thought I’d still be a bounty hunter through the media after 15 years,” along with a laughing emoji and the hashtag #LetsRide, a phrase he popularized during his previous stint with the Broncos.

This “bounty hunter” comment is particularly pointed, alluding to a scandal during Payton’s tenure as head coach at the New Orleans Saints, where the NFL sanctioned him for a bounty system targeting players. He faced a significant suspension back in 2012 due to this controversy.

The dynamic between Wilson and Payton has been rocky since the quarterback’s trade from the Seattle Seahawks to the Broncos in 2022. Their working relationship soured quickly; Wilson was benched during the 2023 season, and he was ultimately released in 2024, leaving Denver with an enormous $85 million in dead money. He ended up going 11-19 during his playoff starts with the Broncos.

Wilson was notably frustrated with being benched, especially as he had voiced concerns earlier regarding his contract guarantees—which could have totaled $37 million if he failed a physical. Broncos owner Greg Penner denied that the team made any threats to Wilson about his contract, while Wilson expressed a desire for “good faith” negotiations, indicating he would involve the NFL Players Association due to the situation. The NFLPA even warned the Broncos that any threat would breach the league’s collective bargaining agreement.

Despite these issues, Wilson continues to receive a salary from the Broncos. He eventually signed a veteran minimum contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Giants brought him on board along with Jameis Winston to provide mentorship for Dart, particularly as Dart was traded back to Ole Miss during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Throughout training camp, head coach Brian Daboll had stated Wilson was the starter, but following three consecutive losses, Dart was given the opportunity. He would later guide the team to a memorable upset against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4.

The Giants indeed had a chance to secure a win against the Broncos, but they suffered an epic collapse, allowing Will Lutz to kick the game-winning field goal and create one of the most dramatic comebacks seen this season.

For now, Dart will continue to lead the Giants’ offense, with Wilson at his side in New York.