The Green Bay Packers are 5-1-1 on the season and hold the top seed in the NFC. In terms of overall league standings, they have the second-best record in the entire NFL, only behind the surprising Indianapolis Colts who are 7-1. Yet, despite their success so far this season, many Packers fans are not happy with how a couple of facets of the team are playing or being allowed to play.
Obviously, there is a great deal concern regarding the cornerback position, a concern that dates back to the early days of the preseason. Indeed, the Packers players at this position do need to play better if Green Bay is going to make a deep run in the NFL Playoffs against the best offenses in the league.
On the offensive side of the ball, fans are not happy with how rarely rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden has been targeted and used, but this particular qualm may be vastly overblown.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden is not getting the targets fans expected
Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) reacts after a 45-yard reception during the second quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
When the Packers made Golden the first wide receiver that they selected in the first round of any NFL Draft since 2002, many fans believed that he was going to step in immediately and become Green Bay’s number one wide receiver. However, that has not been the case.
So far in 2025, it is tight end Tucker Kraft who leads the team in receptions (30), receiving yards (469), and touchdown receptions (six). Romeo Doubs leads the team with 42 targets in the passing game.
For his part, Golden has has 21 receptions for 253 yards and no touchdowns. Looking at these numbers, many fans are not happy with how seemingly little he is utilized in the passing game.
But here is the thing: Golden’s 26 targets are third on the team, behind just Doubs and Kraft. His 21 receptions also rank third, as do his 253 receiving yards.
Perhaps it is because recent Packers rookie wide receivers, who came into a room that was being completely overhauled, got seemingly more looks on offense. The fact of the matter, though, is that Golden is on pace to have a more productive rookie season than many of them, and even a better rookie season than some franchise legends.
Matthew Golden’s 2025 NFL season pace
If Golden is continued to be targeted at the same pace that he has been all season long, he would end his rookie season with 51 receptions for 614 yards. These would be better numbers than many former and current Packers wide receivers during their own rookie seasons, including:
Randall Cobb: 25 receptions for 375 yards and one touchdown
Davante Adams: 38 receptions for 446 yards and three touchdowns
Jordy Nelson: 33 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns
Romeo Doubs: 42 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns
Christian Watson: 41 receptions for 611 yards and seven touchdowns
Antonio Freeman: eight receptions for 106 yards and one touchdown
Javon Walker: 23 receptions for 319 yards and one touchdown
Don Hutson: 18 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns
The fact of the matter is that, in terms of production during a rookie season, the only wide receivers in Green Bay history that could boast more receptions/receiving yards that Golden is on pace for are Jayden Reed, Sterling Sharpe, James Loften, and Billy Howton.
Wide Receiver Year Receptions Yards Touchdowns
Billy Howton 1952 53 1,231 13
James Lofton 1978 46 818 6
Sterling Sharpe 1988 55 791 1
Jayden Reed 2023 64 793 8
And so, while Packers fans may be clamoring for Golden to get more touches, the fact of the matter is that he is already being targeted more frequently than most rookie pass catchers in franchise history.
Most importantly, though, Green Bay is winning. At the end of the day, it does not matter how many targets a specific player gets as long as the team is winning.
Golden has all the makings to be a great NFL wide receiver. But he is still a rookie. His time as a bigger focal point of the Packers offense will come, but it is not here yet.
And that is okay.
Packers upcoming schedule
November 2: vs Carolina Panthers
November 10: vs Philadelphia Eagles
November 16: at New York Giants
November 23: vs Minnesota Vikings
November 27: at Detroit Lions
December 7: vs Chicago Bears
December 14: at Denver Broncos
December 20: at Chicago Bears
Week 17: vs Baltimore Ravens (date and time TBD)
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings (date and time TBD)
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