The Green Bay Packers did something they hadn’t done in more than two decades in 2025: they selected a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. GM Brian Gutekunst selected Texas wideout Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick. But after an up and down rookie campaign, the Packers now need Matthew Golden to step up in year two and become the player they projected him to be when they took him in the first round of last year’s draft.
Like most rookies, Golden had his struggles and his successful moments in his first NFL campaign. During the preseason and in training camp, he made some big plays, and we saw the potential that he has. Golden possesses good speed and consistent hands. It seemed every day that observers at camp including members of the media were excited about a couple of outstanding plays Golden made every day.
Once the season started, however, Golden had his struggles as the level of competition went up. He played in 14 games and started five. Golden caught 29 passes for 361. He did not score a regular season touchdown. In the playoff game in Chicago, Golden played well, catching four passes for 84 yards and his first professional touchdown.
Many observers were disappointed that the Packers didn’t get Golden more involved in the offense. While head coach Matt LaFleur often schemed up plays for fellow rookie Savion Williams, he rarely seemed to design plays to specifically get the ball in Golden’s hands.
Golden saw more playing time early in the season when Christian Watson and Jayden Reed were both out with injuries. Once they returned to the lineup, Golden’s playing time was curtailed.
For the season, Golden tied for fourth on the team with 44 targets. But who did he tie with? Tight end Tucker Kraft who played only eight games before suffering a season-ending injury and running back Josh Jacobs who was used predominantly on check downs and other short passes.
Over the offseason, the Packers parted ways with their leading receiver from 2025, Romeo Doubs. Doubs signed a free agent deal with New England. The Packers receiving depth chart now includes Watson, Reed, Golden, Williams and Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers could add another wideout in the draft, especially since Wicks, Reed, and Watson are all entering the final year of their current contracts. Gutekunst will likely sign one of them to a new contract, two at most. It is highly unlikely all three will be back in 2027.
LaFleur tried to put a positive spin on where Golden is at in his development after his rookie year. “I thought Matthew did an excellent job from the beginning of training camp throughout the season,” he said after the season ended. “Whenever he got his opportunities, he capitalized on them. I thought he did an excellent job. Like all players, when you go through tough times when you’re losing games and maybe you’re not getting as many opportunities as you want, that’s going to be frustrating, but I thought he handled it like a pro and, when his number was called on, he performed. Really excited to see what he can do in year two.”
There have been rumors that the Packers may look to trade either Reed or Wicks to try to address one of the team’s weaker position groups. But the only way they can do that is if they believe Golden is ready to take a big step forward and become a major part of the offense. Without his contributions, the team would be weakening one position group to try to shore up another.
Assuming he stays healthy, there should be no reason Golden doesn’t take step forward in 2026. He now knows the playbook thoroughly and knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL. He also has had a full season to develop chemistry and gain the confidence of quarterback Jordan Love, the coaching staff and his teammates.
The Packers are counting on a big step forward from Golden this season. Now he has to go out there and deliver.