Matthew Golden’s Quiet Rookie Campaign: Why the Packers Still Believe in the First-Round WR
The Green Bay Packers are heating up at just the right time. Winners of four straight, they’ve found their groove offensively to complement a defense that’s been solid all year. But amid the team’s resurgence, one name has been surprisingly absent from the action: rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden.
Golden, a first-round pick with elite speed and playmaking upside, logged just five offensive snaps in Green Bay’s latest win over the Chicago Bears - the fewest of any offensive player. It’s a head-scratching development, especially considering the expectations surrounding him entering the season.
This isn’t the first time it’s felt like Golden was on the verge of a bigger role, only for the game plan to move in a different direction. Head coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged after the game that the plan was for Golden - along with fellow wideout Dontayvion Wicks - to see more action, particularly in passing situations. But as LaFleur put it, “Just didn’t need him as much as we thought going into the game.”
Translation: the flow of the game dictated otherwise, and Golden was left on the sideline with just one target - a season low - and no catches.
A Start-Stop Rookie Year
Golden’s rookie campaign has been a rollercoaster. There have been flashes of the explosiveness that made him a first-round pick - none more evident than his Week 6 breakout against the Bengals, where he posted 86 yards on just three catches, averaging a blistering 28.7 yards per grab. That game showed exactly what he can bring to the offense: vertical speed, open-field danger, and the ability to stretch defenses.
But since then, it's been mostly quiet. Over the last several weeks, Golden has totaled just 10 catches for 74 yards on 14 targets.
Injuries to his shoulder and wrist haven’t helped, and neither has the crowded receiver room in Green Bay. This isn’t Texas anymore - targets don’t come easy when you’re sharing the field with Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Wicks.
For a rookie, especially one adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL defenses, that’s a tough ask. The learning curve is steep, and Golden is still climbing.
Patience Is Key - And There’s a Blueprint
If you’re looking for a reason to stay optimistic about Golden’s future, look no further than the guys around him. Watson and Wicks both started slow in their NFL careers. Now they’ve combined for seven touchdowns this season and have become trusted options for quarterback Jordan Love.
Golden has the tools to follow that same path. The Packers knew what they were getting when they drafted him: a raw but electric talent who would need time to develop. The lack of early production doesn’t change that.
And while the numbers aren’t there yet, the coaching staff has seen enough to keep him in the mix. He’s been active on game days, he’s getting reps in practice, and he’s gaining valuable experience - even if it’s not showing up on the stat sheet.
A Tough Test Ahead
Golden’s next opportunity comes this Sunday on the road against the Denver Broncos - and it won’t be an easy one. Denver has been one of the stingiest defenses in the league, riding a 10-game win streak and allowing just 18.1 points per game. They rank top five in both total and passing defense, making life difficult for even the most seasoned receivers.
For Golden, it’s another uphill battle for snaps and targets. But even if he’s not heavily involved, the long-term outlook remains promising. He’s learning from a talented group, he’s working through the rookie growing pains, and he still has the kind of speed you can’t teach.
Long-Term Vision for Golden
The Packers have a history of developing wide receivers who start slow and finish strong. Golden may not be lighting up the box score just yet, but his time is coming.
The raw talent is there. The flashes are there.
What’s missing is consistency - and that’s something that often comes with time, reps, and trust.
Green Bay didn’t draft Golden to be an instant star. They drafted him to be a long-term weapon in an offense that’s still finding its identity under Jordan Love. And if history is any guide, the quiet rookie season might just be the beginning of something bigger.
For now, the Packers will continue to ride the hot hand. But don’t be surprised if, somewhere down the stretch - maybe even in a key playoff moment - Golden’s number gets called. And when it does, he’ll be ready.