When the Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it ended a drought that lasted over two decades of the franchise not taking a first-round wide receiver. As such, there was a huge hype that came with Golden the moment his name was announced. Many believed that the former Texas Longhorns star could be the real deal, given where he was taken by Green Bay in the draft.
However,Golden’s first season in the pros isn’t going, well, very golden. He’s not getting as many looks as many Green Bay fans want him to get downfield. Despite his incredible and proven speed, it doesn’t seem that the Packers are capitalizing on that particular quality by Golden, who scored nine touchdowns and recorded 987 receiving yards on just 58 receptions during his final year in college football in 2024 with the Longhorns.
Packers’ Watson shares thoughts on Golden
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) runs onto the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson, who had just recently returned to action after a long absence due to a knee injury, doesn’t think that the lack of looks downfield has affected Golden’s demeanor.
“He’s definitely been even-keeled from what I’ve seen,” Watson said of Golden, perMatt Schneidman of The Athletic.
“You could ask any wide receiver in here and they’re all gonna tell you that they’d be happy getting the ball more. I wouldn’t say he doesn’t want to get the ball more. I know he does, but he’s still the same confident guy that we saw walking in here. I just think whenever the opportunity does come for him and he gets a little bit more opportunity to show what he can do, I think he’s gonna be ready for that moment.”
In eight games played this season, Watson, who missed Week 10’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles with ashoulder issue, has 262 receiving yards on 23 receptions and just 29 targets with zero touchdowns to date. There’s still plenty of games left on the schedule for Green Bay, though, so Golden has enough chances to finally get the breakout game many have been waiting to see him produce.
Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images
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