On May 19, the Green Bay Packers officially signed 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden to his rookie contract. After being selected 23rd overall in the draft, the former Texas Longhorns wide receiver put pen to paper and officially signed with the team. With several other first-round receivers already signed, how does Golden’s deal stack up?
Green Bay Packers, Matthew Golden, Jayden Reed, Matt LaFleur
Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and President and CEO of the Green Bay Packers Mark Murphy after being selected twenty-third overall pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay.
Matthew Golden Signs First NFL Contract with Green Bay Packers
When the Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, fans outside Lambeau Field rejoiced. Golden is a tremendous talent who immediately addresses a position of need for the Pack, one they have long neglected in terms of addressing it through the draft.
Instantly becoming a fan favorite, Golden has already signed his rookie contract with the Packers. The deal is worth $17.5 million over 4 years. Golden instantly brings home $9.4 million of it as a signing bonus. In terms of impact on Green Bay’s payroll, Golden has a first-year cap hit of just under $3.2 million, which increases by about $800,000 each year and ends at approximately $5.6 million in 2028.
We have signed Matthew Golden!
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 19, 2025
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Wide Receiver Matthew Golden of Texas hugs NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected twenty-third overall pick by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field on April 24, 2025 in Green Bay.
It’s important to know that, for first-round picks, the entire contract is fully guaranteed. The total money is also predetermined by a formula associated with the NFL salary cap, meaning Golden would be signing for a 17.5 figure regardless.
The time it takes for players to sign their deal usually centers around the signing bonus. Golden’s signing bonus of $9.4 million is actually significantly higher than last year’s 23rd overall pick: Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr., an LSU product and a fellow wide receiver.
Oct 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) celebrates his touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2023; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (11) celebrates his touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas Jr. signed a deal worth $14.7 million, with a signing bonus of $7.4 million. The increase from that number to Golden’s 17.5 has to do with the salary cap increasing. Golden’s signing bonus is around the same percentage of the total worth of the deal.
How Does Matthew Golden’s Deal Stack Up Against Other First-Round Wideouts?
Arizona product Tetairoa McMillan, who was selected by the Carolina Panthers earlier in the month on May 8, obviously has a bigger deal for the simple of reason of being drafted 15 spots higher. Coming off the board at 8th overall, McMillan inked a 4-year deal worth just under $28 million in total.
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a pass against Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Javan Robinson (12) during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) catches a pass against Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Javan Robinson (12) during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
McMillan’s signing bonus is worth almost as much as Golden’s entire deal. The Panthers wideout has already secured $16.95 million of his deal up front, in comparison to Golden’s total deal being worth $17.5.
A closer comparison for Golden is Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka. After being selected out of Ohio State at 19th overall, Egbuka signed his deal on May 9. His deal totals around $18.2 million, slightly more than Golden. Egbuka’s signing bonus is close to $10 million, only slightly higher than Golden’s.
Green Bay Packers, Emeka Egbuka
Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) celebrates after he makes a reception for a touchdown in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
If you’ve ever wondered why players sliding in the draft can be such a big deal, this is why: their resulting rookie contracts can look significantly different.
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