The Packers are asking a lot of Matthew Golden this summer, and so far the second-year receiver is giving them a reason to believe.
Green Bay has reshaped its wideout room, moving veteran Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles and letting Romeo Doubs leave in free agency. That leaves plenty of pressure on Golden and Christian Watson, who not only have to stay on the field but also take major steps forward in 2026.
What has stood out most to the Packers’ staff during camp and through the team’s first two preseason games is Golden’s ability to finish plays with his hands. Head coach Matt LaFleur pointed to one particular catch in Denver as the kind of rep that has made an impression.
“I think he has elite hands,” head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday. “That catch he made in Denver on the crossing route that kind of showed to it.
It was a good savviness by him, he felt an underneath defender and he bled up the field. I think it was a good ball especially because he changed the angle on Jordan.
But to make that catch and not lose stride, a low hands catch, I think that speaks to just how good his hands really are.”
If Golden keeps flashing like that, he has a real chance to become Jordan Love’s go-to target this fall. And with his speed, the Packers believe he could be the piece that helps the offense take another step and set up a run in 2026.
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Franklin is expected to line up next to Edgerrin Cooper, giving the Packers a pair that blends experience with upside. After eight NFL seasons and 738 total tackles, Franklin gives Green Bay the kind of presence coaches can lean on while Cooper continues to develop, but the real question now is how quickly the new pairing can settle in and become more than just a roster adjustment. [Read more 🡒]
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For Green Bay, that creates a window to get a little creative. Players who do not survive the initial trim will be available to the Packers either on waivers or, if they clear, as practice-squad targets, which means the final cuts elsewhere can quickly become an unexpected upgrade opportunity here. It is the kind of late-August market that can quietly reshape a roster, especially for teams still looking for depth and a better fit in a few spots. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Just Unveiled A Lombardi Throwback Fans Will Want To See
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The jersey will make its debut on Oct. 11, 2026, when Green Bay faces the Bears in the NFLs oldest continuous rivalry game. It adds another layer to a matchup that already carries plenty of weight, even as Jordan Love has been spending his offseason focused on building trust with Matt LaFleur and keeping the Packers pointed in the right direction. [Read more 🡒]