Former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has fired back at Sean Payton.

Wilson, now the backup quarterback for the New York Giants, took to social media Tuesday to express displeasure over a comment the Broncos coach made after Sunday’s 33-32 win over the Giants.

“Classless… but not surprised…. Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media. #LetsRide,’’ Wilson wrote on X.

Wilson, who was released by the Broncos in March 2024 after two seasons with them, was the Giants’ starter at the beginning of this season. After they began 0-3, he was replaced by rookie Jaxson Dart.

“They found a little spark with that quarterback,’’ Payton said after Sunday’s game about Dart. “I was talking to (Giants president and CEO) John Mara not too long ago and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game.’”

Payton took over as Denver’s coach in 2023, and had a strained relationship with Wilson during the one season they were together. When the Broncos released Wilson, they took an $85 million salary-cap hit and a month later selected Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in the draft to be his replacement.

The “bounty” reference by Wilson was related to Payton being suspended by the NFL for the 2012 season when he was coaching New Orleans and the league determined he had been involved in a scandal in which Saints players were illegally paid after bounties were placed on opposing players.

Greenlaw suspension upheld

The NFL announced that the one-game suspension Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw received Monday was upheld on appeal.

Greenlaw was suspended for what the league called unsportsmanlike conduct for chasing after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatening him following Denver’s win over the Giants. Greenlaw will sit out Sunday’s home game against the Dallas Cowboys, and he will lose one game check for $192,778.

Greenlaw appealed the suspension but it was denied by an independent arbitrator who is approved by the NFL and the NFL Players Association to handle cases.

With Greenlaw out, Justin Strnad again will fill in for him. Strnad was the other primary inside linebacker alongside Alex Singleton for the first six games of the season, when Greenlaw was out with a quad injury.

Greenlaw, who was on a snap count, got in for 21 plays while starting against the Giants in his Broncos debut. Strnad played 41 snaps off the bench, and had a pivotal late-game interception as the Broncos overcame fourth-quarter deficits of 19-0 and 26-8 to win.

The Broncos also have rookie inside linebacker Karene Reid for depth. And Levelle Bailey could be elevated from the practice squad for the second time this season.

Shanahan, Reeves remain in HOF contention

Former Broncos coaches Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves remain in contention to be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class.

The Hall of Fame announced the list of nominees in the coach category selected by a committee has been cut from 15 to 12. That includes Bill Belichick, who is eligible for the first time and considered the favorite to be the one coach selected as a finalist.

Shanahan coached the Broncos from 1995-2008 and won Super Bowls with them in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Reeves, who died in 2022, coached them from 1981-92 and took them to three Super Bowls, all losses.

Also among the 12 nominees is Alex Gibbs, who died in 2021 and was the Broncos offensive line coach from 1995-2003 and an offensive line consultant in 2013.

Others remaining in contention are Bill Arnsparger, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Marty Schottenheimer, George Seifert and Clark Shaughnessy.

Belichick, who coached the Cleveland Browns from 1991-95 and the New England Patriots from 2000-23, is considered likely to make the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He led the Patriots to six Super Bowl wins.

The committee will reduce the list to nine finalists in early November and to one finalist later in the month. The finalist will need to get 80% of the votes next year from the Hall of Fame selection committee to be enshrined.

Briefly

The Broncos released tackle Karsen Barnhart from the practice squad Tuesday a week after they had signed him to the squad. A source said he will be replaced on the squad by offensive lineman Marques Cox, who was with the Broncos in training camp before being waived and worked out for them last Friday. … Denver tight end Lucas Krull is eligible next week to come off injured reserve after missing four games following the fractured fifth metacarpal bone he suffered in his left foot in an Oct. 2 practice. It was initially believed he would be out about four weeks, but more will be known next week. Orthotics are being used during his recovery. … The Broncos (5-2), who have won four straight games and have the NFL’s longest overall home winning streak at eight games, are a 3.5-point favorite against the Cowboys.