Russell Wilson kept the rumored beef between him and Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton alive on Sunday. The retired quarterback, who now works for CBS Sports, was busy picking winners between some of the NFL matchups on Sunday. When it came to the Kansas City Chiefs versus Broncos game, he was a bit conflicted.
He ended up choosing his former team, though, to win the AFC West showdown. But, he couldn't make the pick without poking fun at Payton in the process. "And Sean Payton, you may like me, you may not, but I'm picking you," Wilson said, prompting laughter from his coworkers.
Wilson only played for Payton for one season in 2023 when the coach was hired by Denver in the quarterback's second season there. However, Payton ended up benching Wilson at the end of the season, which led the Broncos to release the quarterback in the offseason despite the five-year, $245 million contract extension he signed with the team. The Broncos continued paying Wilson until this year.
After Wilson left Denver, he stayed rent-free in Payton's mind. The coach went viral in 2025 when calling to face Wilson on the New York Giants instead of rookie Jaxson Dart. This prompted Wilson to post his now infamous tweet in response to his former coach's comment.
"Classless... but not surprised.... Didn't realize you're still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media," Wilson wrote. Payton apologized afterwards, but Wilson kept talking about the coach in some interviews here and there, specifically during one on the "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast in March.
"I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don't like," Wilson said. "I don't think it's necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I'm not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there's a point in time where you have to, I've realized, I've stayed quiet for so long.
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