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Green Bay Packers: 1st Round Pick Matthew Golden Gives Amazing Reason Why He Played in Jordan Love Charity Softball Game

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated May 26, 2025 10:54 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers selected Matthew Golden, a wide receiver out of Texas, with their first round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It was the first time since 2002 that Green Bay had drafted a wide receiver that high in a draft. Golden knew immediately that this distinction brought with it a great deal of expectations from fans.

But he also knew that he has to work on gaining the trust of his new quarterback, Jordan Love, before he can get the number of targets required to fulfill those expectations. When asked about his new quarterback right after he was drafted, Golden said, “Talented quarterback who can get out of the pocket and make plays, and can [darn] sure throw the ball. I’m going to let him know as soon as I see him, ‘You’ve got a reliable target. You can trust me.”

But trust, as they say, is earned, and Golden took a big step in earning Love’s trust over the weekend.

Green Bay Packers Rookie WR Matthew Golden Participated in the Jordan Love Charity Softball Game

Wide receiver Matthew Golden embraces Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy after the Packers select him with the 23rd pick during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26.

Over the weekend, Love hosted his annual charity softball game, an event that was once hosted by prominent former Packers like Brett Favre and Donald Driver. Golden, despite not playing even a preseason game yet for Green Bay, was one of the players who participated.

And according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, the Packers’ first round pick had a very good reason for being there: “You always gotta be there for your quarterback,” Golden said.

Chemistry off the field helps build chemistry on the field. Golden understands this and saw the charity softball game as an opportunity to start building the trust he wants to earn from Love.

And it certainly did leave an impression on Green Bay’s quarterback. Also according to Schneidman, Love was highly complimentary of his new first round wide receiver: “He’s a great dude. I’m excited to see just his potential on the football field. But just the start we’ve had, doing routes on air and things like that, he looks like a stud, looks like a very polished receiver, so I’m excited to see just how far he can take it.”

The Packers start OTA’s this week, so fans will soon be treated to clips posted on social media of the pair working together as they prepare for the season.

And while it is still very early, there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the Love-Golden duo.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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