“I Got the Same Amount of Rings…” Russell Wilson Takes Dig at Ex-Coach Sean Payton over Infamous ‘Classless’ Tweet

Russell Wilson has not forgotten about his beef with Sean Payton which the Broncos head coach reignited through his comments last October.

“I Got the Same Amount of Rings…” Russell Wilson Takes Dig at Ex-Coach Sean Payton over Infamous ‘Classless’ Tweet

#3 Russell Wilson and Sean Payton (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Russell Wilson criticized Sean Payton for a "classless" comment made after Wilson was benched.
  • Wilson and Payton had a contentious relationship during their single season together with the Broncos.
  • Despite his struggles, Wilson expressed a desire to continue playing in the NFL for several more years.

Russell Wilson and Sean Payton spent just one NFL season together with the Denver Broncos. Wilson left following a fallout with Payton and the Broncos’ front office regarding his contract.

Prior to the 2022 season, the Seattle Seahawks traded Wilson to the Broncos for draft picks. Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract in Denver, with an approximate annual salary of $44 million.

Payton, a fresh free agent following an 8-9 campaign with the Saints, stayed away from coaching for one year. He dabbled in broadcasting before the Broncos came calling in 2023. However, cracks started to form after a 1-5 start to the season.

By the end of the year, it was clear that Payton had lost faith in the Pro Bowl signal caller. The Broncos benched Wilson for the final two games and finished 8-9, missing out on playoff qualification for the eighth consecutive campaign.

Later, Denver media reported that Payton wanted Wilson to restructure his contract before the next calendar year to free up more cap space. Wilson refused to oblige and lost his starting job.

In the following off-season, the Broncos traded Wilson to the Steelers, and a year later, he returned to the NFC to sign with the Giants. Denver drafted Bo Nix, and with the Oregon graduate under center, Denver was just one win away from playing in the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2015-16 season. However, the Patriots knocked the Broncos out in the AFC title game.

Before the Super Bowl, Wilson sat for an interview with the crew of Bussin’ With the Boys. Host Will Compton shared a clip of Payton teasing Wilson after he was swapped out for rookie Jaxson Dart in October. Wilson called Payton “classless” for the dig at the time. He elaborated on his earlier comments on the podcast.

(When) you’ve been on the same side or this and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?–I got a lot of respect for him (Sean Payton) as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. 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. There’s a time and place where I’m not.

Russell Wilson said

Wilson played two seasons in Denver, appearing in 30 games and finishing with an 11-19 record. After bouncing around from Pittsburgh to New York, he is likely to enter free agency once more with the Giants look set to make Dart their QB1.

Will Russell Wilson retire?

Wilson turned 37 in November and is heading toward his twilight years as an NFL quarterback. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Wilson has an accumulated wealth of $185 million (December 2025). He can definitely lead a comfortable life if he retires right now.

"I Got the Same Amount of Rings…" Russell Wilson Takes Massive Dig at Ex-Coach Sean Payton over Infamous 'Classless' Tweet
Russell Wilsn (Image via IMAGO)

However, the Super Bowl winner is not ready to hang up his boots even though he will be without a club in the coming days.

Yeah I want to play a few more years for sure. I think for me you know I’ve always had the the the vision of getting to 40 at least.

Wilson told the Bussin With the Boys crew

Wilson played 6 games for the Giants last year. His totals were 831 passing yards, 3 TD, 3 INT, with a low season QBR and a 0-3 record.

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