The NFL handed Matthew Golden a fine after the Green Bay Packers’ win over the Carolina Panthers, even though the wideout never drew a flag on the play itself.
On Saturday, the league announced that Golden was fined $12,537 for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter. The violation was listed as “striking/kicking/kneeing.”
The moment came while Golden was engaged with Panthers defensive back Marco Wilson. Wilson was the player flagged for unnecessary roughness on the field, but he was not fined.
Golden still finished the game with a strong line, hauling in seven catches for 79 yards and a touchdown in Green Bay’s 27-19 victory. The Packers have now won four of their last five after opening the season 1-2.
Golden is in his second season with Green Bay after the team took him in the first round, No. 23 overall, in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he posted 29 receptions for 361 yards across 14 games, including five starts.
This season has looked very different. Through eight games, Golden has 43 catches for 619 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also developed a strong connection with Christian Watson, who has 42 receptions for 708 yards and six scores.
“Just proud. Happy for him,” said Watson of Golden’s start, per Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com.
“The first day I saw him run a route, I was like, 'All right, we’re gonna have something here.' It’s been exciting to see him continue to blossom that I think he knows he could be, that I knew he could be.”
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