As the Green Bay Packers officially turn the page on the 2025 season and prep for the start of the new league year in March, attention is shifting toward what’s next - especially when it comes to the development of their young core. One name that stands out in that conversation is wide receiver Matthew Golden.
Golden entered the league with a bright spotlight. As the first wide receiver taken by the Packers in the first round since Javon Walker back in 2002, expectations were sky-high.
But like many rookies, his first year in the NFL didn’t go quite as planned. With just 29 catches for 361 yards and no touchdowns, Golden's stat line was modest - and, for some fans, disappointing.
But numbers alone don’t tell the full story.
Golden’s Rookie Year: More Than Meets the Eye
Let’s start with the context. Golden walked into a crowded receiver room.
Romeo Doubs came out firing, finishing with 55 catches, 724 yards, and six touchdowns. Christian Watson returned midseason and quickly reestablished himself as a WR1-caliber target.
Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and even Bo Melton carved out meaningful roles in the offense. In that kind of environment, it’s easy for a rookie - even a first-rounder - to get lost in the shuffle.
Still, Golden wasn’t just buried on the bench. He logged the second-most offensive snaps among Packers receivers, which shows the coaching staff saw something in him.
He may have had only 46 targets, but he made the most of them. Golden averaged 1.53 yards per route run - a stat that doesn’t jump off the page until you realize it ranked fourth among rookie receivers last season, behind only Luther Burden III, Tetairoa McMillian, and Emeka Egbuka, according to Pro Football Focus.
That kind of efficiency suggests that when Golden was on the field, he was doing the right things - even if the box score didn’t reflect it. And that’s the kind of foundation you can build on.
The Opportunity Ahead in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the door might be opening wider for Golden. Christian Watson is locked in as the team’s top option, but Romeo Doubs is heading into free agency. Unless the Packers bring him back - and that would likely require a deal in the $12 million per year range - Golden could be in line for a bigger role in the offense.
Even if Doubs does return, there’s a chance Golden still sees an uptick in usage. The Packers have made it clear they’re committed to developing their young talent, and Golden, with a full offseason to get healthy and refine his game, has the tools to take a leap.
It’s also worth remembering that Golden played through wrist and shoulder injuries last season - the kind of nagging issues that can sap a receiver’s confidence and limit their ability to make contested catches or fight through press coverage. A clean bill of health and a full offseason in the system could make a world of difference.
Head coach Matt LaFleur certainly seems optimistic. “He was on track,” LaFleur said in January.
“He’s got a ton of upside. I love how he approaches the game.
He’ll learn and continue to get better and better.”
Sure, coaches tend to talk up their young players - especially former first-round picks. But in this case, there’s reason to believe the praise is warranted.
Golden’s rookie year may not have lived up to the hype, but the flashes were there. The efficiency, the snap count, the resilience through injury - all signs that he’s still very much in the mix.
A Clean Slate and a Big Year Ahead?
Golden’s situation heading into 2026 feels a lot like Romeo Doubs’ did a year ago. Doubs had a solid but unspectacular rookie campaign, then took a step forward in Year 2. There’s no reason Golden can’t follow a similar trajectory - especially if he gets more consistent reps and continues to grow within the offense.
The Packers have a track record of developing receivers, and Golden has the physical tools and mindset to thrive. With a year of experience under his belt, a clearer path to playing time, and the confidence of his coaching staff, the stage is set for a potential breakout.
It won’t be handed to him. He’ll have to earn it in camp, in the film room, and on Sundays. But if Golden can stay healthy and make the most of his opportunities, 2026 could be the season he starts living up to that first-round billing - and becomes a real weapon in Green Bay’s evolving offense.