When the Green Bay Packers made the decision to select Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, it came with resounding approval from fans. As any Packers fan will be able to tell, Golden was the first wide receiver that the team took in the first round of any NFL Draft since 2002. For years, many had pushed for the front office to make a first round investment in the position, but to no avail.
Golden, though, did not have the role on the offense that many expected. Whereas other NFL teams will have their first round wide receivers as the number one or number two pass catchers, Green Bay slotted him in further down on the depth chart, as they typically do with rookies at any position when they can.
Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst looks forward to seeing Matthew Golden in Year Two
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
In his limited role on offense, Golden had 29 receptions for 361 yards and no touchdowns. However, in Green Bay’s Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, he had a standout game, catching four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
The prevailing belief in Green Bay is the Romeo Doubs, one of the wide receivers ahead of Golden on the depth chart, is going to walk away from the team in free agency. This, of course, will help the 2025 first round pick move up the depth chart and allow him more snaps on offense.
General manager Brian Gutekunst certainly seems to think that Golden will have a bigger role in 2026:
Brian Gutekunst talking about Matthew Golden in Year 1 and expectations for what’s ahead.
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— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) February 24, 2026
“I think Matthew did a good job with all the opportunities that we gave him. I thought he did an excellent job. Would’ve loved to have seen him get more throughout the year, but it didn’t work out that way. But when he did, he performed and he performed at a high level. Really excited to see where he goes in Year Two.
“He was a third-year player coming out of college. One year at Texas, two years at Houston, so his ceiling is very, very high. We’re very, very excited about what he’s going to do for our football team moving forward.”
It is interesting to note, in Gutekunst’s words about Golden, that he had wished the rookie wide receiver would have gotten more opportunities. Granted, Golden did have a shoulder injury that caused him to miss a few games, but he did not miss any significant amount of time.
Certainly, it will be interesting to see the role that Golden has on offense moving forward as he takes a step in his second year, and apparently has the backing of the general manager when it comes to getting more opportunities.
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