Broncos coach Sean Payton stirred the pot Monday when he revealed he recently told New York Giants owner John Mara that he hoped the team would turn to rookie Jaxson Dart at quarterback once their game had passed. The remark was both high praise for Dart and a subtle dig at former starter Russell Wilson.
“You know they found a little spark with that quarterback,” Payton said. “I was talking to John Mara not too long ago, I said we were hoping that change would have happened long after our game.”
The comment, shared by reporter Ari Meirov, came amid the fallout from Denver’s 33-32 comeback Sunday night and added fuel to an already heated narrative surrounding the Giants’ quarterback situation.
Payton’s jab resonated given the context. The New York Giants recently benched Russell Wilson in favor of rookie Jaxson Dart, who rewarded the coaching staff’s faith with a gutsy performance in Denver.
Dart finished the game with 283 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a rushing score. He consistently pushed the Giants into scoring position before a fourth-quarter collapse handed the Broncos the win.
Denver’s rally—scoring all 33 points in the fourth quarter—stole the headlines. Payton was impressed with Dart’s performance, noting that Dart almost single-handedly carried the offense alongside fellow rookie Cam Skattebo.
From the Broncos’ perspective, quarterback Bo Nix led the charge with 279 passing yards and two touchdowns, adding two rushing scores during the epic fourth-quarter comeback. The Broncos converted late, with Wil Lutz’s 39-yard field goal as time expired sealing a rare and thrilling victory.
For New York, the loss stings despite Dart’s heroics, as mistakes and missed kicking opportunities ultimately decided the outcome.
Whether Payton intended to add extra heat or simply admired Dart’s grit, his comment has fueled headlines and increased pressure on the Giants’ front office to justify its decision-making.
At the very least, Payton’s words make clear that outside observers view Jaxson Dart as more than just a stopgap solution at quarterback.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/denver-broncos/broncos-news-did-sean-payton-subtle-shot-russell-wilson-jaxson-dart-request
