ENGLEWOOD – Broncos coach Sean Payton said Wednesday a comment he made after last Sunday’s 33-32 win over the New York Giants was “strictly about” Jaxson Dart and not about Russell Wilson.

Payton said after the game he had spoken to Giants president and CEO John Mara and told him the Broncos had hoped their recent change at quarterback would have been made “long after our game” against the Giants. Dart, a rookie, replaced Wilson as the starting quarterback after a 0-3 start.

Wilson, who played for the Broncos from 2022-23 before being released, responded Tuesday on X, calling Payton “classless” and bringing up his suspension as New Orleans coach for the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty scandal.

“In the euphoria, the way that game unfolded, that was strictly about Dart,’’ Payton said after Wednesday’s practice at Broncos Park. “That was in no way, shape, or form anything that was directed at Russ. And I might be able to see how he might perceive that. But coming off that win and watching how (Dart) played, yeah, that wasn’t any intention at all.”

Wilson and Payton had a strained relationship during the head coach’s first Denver season of 2023. Wilson was released in March 2024 when the Broncos took an $85 million salary-cap hit and a month later they selected replacement Bo Nix with the No. 12 pick in the draft.

Since Dart took over as quarterback, the Giants are 2-2. They upset Philadelphia 34-17 on Oct. 9 and had leads of 19-0 and 26-8 in the fourth quarter Sunday before losing. Dart completed 13 of 33 passes for 283 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

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

Wilson then fired back at Payton on X.

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

The “bounty” reference was related to Payton’s NFL suspension in 2012 after the league determined he had been involved in a scandal in which Saints players were illegally paid after bounties were placed on opposing players.

Ehlinger to 53, Rowan to practice squad

The Broncos re-signed quarterback Sam Ehlinger to the 53-man roster.

Ehlinger took the roster spot of Dre Greenlaw, who was moved to the suspended list. The NFL on Monday banished Greenlaw for one game for unsportsmanlike conduct after the league said he chased after referee Brad Allen and verbally threatened him following the win over the Giants.

To take Ehlinger’s spot on the practice squad, the Broncos signed rookie wide receiver Kyrese Rowan, who was with them in training camp before being waived Aug. 25. The Broncos also officially announced the signing of offensive lineman Marques Cox to the practice squad after he agreed Tuesday to take the spot of released offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart.

Ehlinger was on the practice squad until being promoted to the 53-man roster Sept. 6. He was released Friday and signed the next day to the practice squad.

Ehlinger is a vested veteran who doesn’t have to go through waivers and has continued interest in remaining Denver’s third-string quarterback. He got a full game check last week because he was released after Tuesday and will get another this week. If he returns to the practice squad after Greenlaw is back, he would have three game elevations this season to continue to get full game checks.

After the Broncos learned Tuesday night that Greenlaw had lost an appeal on his suspension, they reached out to Rowan, who was at home in Ogden, Utah.

“I had two hours before my flight and they called me to get on the plane,’’ said Rowan, who got the call at 6:15 p.m. and then made the 40-minute drive to Salt Lake International Airport.

Rowan was excited to be back with the Broncos.

“Hopefully, I can stick around for long enough, but I’m glad to be here,” he said.

Rowan, who was undrafted out of Utah State, had some good moments in training camp. He said he was “pretty surprised” that he had to wait nearly two months after being waived to be back with a team.

“But I didn’t let that affect me,’’ he said. “I just stayed ready and just kept working and just hoping for this call and it finally came.”

Penalties aplenty

Penalties continue to be a problem for Denver.

The Broncos rank No. 2 in the NFL in penalties behind Jacksonville. They had a whopping 12 for 127 yards against the Giants.

“Both sides of the ball, that’s concerning, and we’ve addressed it,’’ Payton said. “We’ll continue to address it. It’s one of those items that has to get cleaned up.”

Payton said the Broncos have been “not detailed enough” in correcting issues in practice.

“We still have to look at ourselves first as coaches,’’ he said.

Briefly

Broncos outside linebacker Jonah Elliss returned to practice on a limited basis after missing two games with a shoulder injury. … The NFL trade deadline is Nov. 4, but Payton expressed no urgency about the Broncos needing to make a move. “(General manager) George (Paton) and I speak each day about it,’’ Payton said. “It would just be dependent on a few things, but right now the plan is we like what we currently have.’’ … Payton reiterated that Mike Shanahan, who coached the Broncos from 1995-2008 and won two Super Bowls “should be in” the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Shanahan is among 12 coach candidates still in contention for one possible spot in the Class of 2026 but former New England coach Bill Belichick is the favorite. “(Shanahan) needs to get in sooner than later,’’ Payton said. “Beyond just two Super Bowls, his impact on the game and offensively, having played against his teams, it’s time.” …  Payton said Alex Palczewski got a game ball for how he played against the Giants at left guard. He became the third player to start at the position following injuries to Ben Powers and Matt Peart. “It was impressive,’’ Payton said of his showing.