It took until the playoffs, but the rookie first-round pick finally had the game that showed us why he went #23.
Green Bay Packers fans are going to need some time to recover from an epic collapse against the Chicago Bears in the playoffs, but rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden gave some hope for the future in 2026 and beyond after (finally) having his breakout game.
The first-round rookie has patiently been waiting for his moment this season, but only saw flashes of big-play potential throughout the year. On top of catching just 29 passes for 361 yards, Golden had zero touchdowns in the regular season and averaged 1.35 yards per route run, ranking 65th out of 97 qualified receivers.
Instead of letting that keep him down, Golden turned it up for a career game against the Bears, catching 4-of-5 targets for 84 yards and a touchdown, the first of his career.
And what a touchdown it was.
It wasn’t just the touchdown, but his entire game, that showcased the skill set the Packers were willing to spend a first-round pick on. While a smaller receiver prospect, Golden was a late breakout star for the Texas Longhorns because of his play speed, fluid route running, and ability to make big plays both on deep targets and after the catch.
While Golden still isn’t a completely polished receiver (no rookie ever is), those skills showed up in crucial moments throughout the game. Even when Golden wasn’t targeted, he showed an ability to break open on what could have been some even bigger opportunities.
Golden’s first NFL season may not have been what he and Packers fans were hoping for. However, a similar storyline occurred with this franchise back in 2014.
After a frustrating rookie year with drops and inconsistencies, rookie receiver Davante Adams came alive in the team’s first playoff game, catching 7-of-11 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown in the 26-21 divisional round win over the Dallas Cowboys.
They may not be the same style of receiver, but Golden has a chance to carry that momentum from a strong playoff performance into his second season, where he’ll likely be a much bigger focal point of Green Bay’s passing game.
Category: General Sports
