Matthew Golden’s Rookie Year Didn’t Go as Planned - But the Packers WR Still Has the Fans Behind Him
When the Green Bay Packers used their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on wide receiver Matthew Golden, the message was loud and clear: this was a player they believed could be a difference-maker. It was the first time in over 20 years - spanning the entire Aaron Rodgers era - that the Packers spent a first-rounder on a wideout.
Expectations? Sky-high.
But Golden’s rookie campaign didn’t quite match the buzz.
In 14 games, the former Texas Longhorn hauled in 29 catches on 44 targets for just 361 yards and no touchdowns during the regular season. For a player drafted 23rd overall, especially at a position where fans had been clamoring for help for years, those numbers were underwhelming.
That said, context matters. Rookie receivers often face a steep learning curve - adjusting to NFL speed, mastering complex route trees, and building chemistry with the quarterback.
Golden showed flashes, but consistency was elusive. Still, the Packers stuck with him, and he did manage to find the end zone in the team’s playoff loss to the Bears.
It may not erase the frustrations of the regular season, but it’s a sign of life - and maybe a glimpse of what’s to come.
Then came a cryptic post.
Golden took to X (formerly Twitter) on January 31 with a wordless post - just a photo, no caption. It didn’t take long for fans to flood the replies with encouragement. No drama, no controversy - just a fanbase rallying behind a young player they still believe in.
“You a dawg fr can’t wait till to see you ball next year,” one fan wrote.
Another chimed in: “Best of luck next season big DAWG! I believe in you!
I know you’ll be a star in the league. #HookEm”
Others echoed the sentiment, calling for a breakout season in 2026 and predicting a fierce battle with Christian Watson for WR1 duties.
The support is notable - and telling. Packers fans are passionate, no doubt, but they’re also football-savvy.
They know Golden’s rookie year didn’t live up to the hype, but they also see the potential. The touchdown in the playoffs was more than just a stat - it was a spark, a sign that Golden might be ready to turn the corner.
Now, it’s about what happens next.
Golden has an entire offseason to get back to work, refine his game, and come back stronger. The tools are there - speed, hands, athleticism - and the opportunity is wide open in Green Bay’s receiver room. If he can put it all together in Year 2, the story of his rookie struggles might just become the prologue to something much bigger.
For now, the message from fans is simple: we’re still with you. And that kind of backing can go a long way for a young player trying to find his footing in the league.