Much is always expected from a team’s first-round draft pick. Such was the case in 2025 when the Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden in the 23rd overall spot.
But, has he materialized into what the fans — or the coaching staff — expected?
Golden signed a four-year, fully guaranteed $17.58 million rookie contract. The deal included a $9.42 million signing bonus, with more than $10 million in total cash paid during the 2025 season and a fifth-year team option.
The last wide receiver selected by the Packers in the first round before Golden was Javon Walker in 2002. Walker was taken with the 20th overall pick out of Florida State.
When Golden was selected, the Packers already had a ton of wide receivers, knowing some would be gone in the near future.
Already on board were Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Malik Heath and Romeo Doubs, as well as Bo Melton in a pinch. The Packers also picked up Savion Williams in the second round of 2025 draft.
“It was kind of a unique deal,” coach Matt LaFleur said. “Not many rookie players, especially first rounders, come into a situation where there’s a bunch of guys that have established themselves. It feels like each game there’s a different guy that’s going to lead us in receiving.”
Beyond the depth chart, the Packers head coach noted physical setbacks played a significant role in stalling the speedy wide receiver’s early momentum.
“I think MG’s done an outstanding job,” LaFleur said. “I thought he was on track and unfortunately had to deal with a little bit of injury that just kind of made it a little bit more choppy, I would say, in regards to his ability to get in there and have meaningful snaps.”
LaFleur’s assessment reflects Green Bay’s approach to rookie development, allowing young players to grow within the system.
How has that approach paid off? Golden only has to look down the line of scrimmage to see Jordan Love taking snaps to see.
This year, Wicks, Heath and Doubs are gone, so Golden will likely see more action.
In the 2025 regular season, Golden recorded 29 receptions for 361 receiving yards (12.4 average) over 14 games, with a long reception of 46 yards. He added 10 rushing attempts for 49 yards (4.9 average) and had no receiving touchdowns.
His best game was against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 when he had three catches for 86 yards.
He also secured four receptions for 58 yards in Week 4 against the Cowboys and had three catches for 55 yards against the Broncos in Week 15.
And he caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in the season-ending playoff loss to the Chicago Bears.
