Packers WR Matthew Golden Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) runs onto the field before the game against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 2, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.

Packers’ coach gets real on Matthew Golden’s role, future

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jan 3, 2026 10:28 AM ET

The Packers have yet to unlock the full potential that first-round rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden, and his speed have to offer.

While injuries have wreaked havoc on the second half of Golden’s 2025 campaign, he also struggled to get on the same page with quarterback Jordan Love and carve out a niche in a receiving corps that already includes veterans Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, who each missed time due to injury, as well.

Packers’ Adam Stenavich opens up about Matthew Golden’s future

Golden has shown flashes, but was never quite able to vault to the top of the depth chart during the regular season.

Catching 28 passes for 353 yards, Golden is still in search of the first touchdown of his career, despite averaging a healthy 12.6 yards per reception.

As the regular season finale approaches, and with the playoffs looming, Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich shared his in-depth thoughts on Golden, and how his role could evolve in Green Bay’s offense.

“I think right now, like, he will,” Stenavich told reporters, when asked if Golden can expect to see an expanded role in the near future. “And the good thing is that the last couple of weeks you’ve seen just like his rapport with [quarterback] Jordan [Love], making plays out in practice. But it’s tough right now. It honestly is because you got Christian [Watson], you got Romeo [Doubs], you got [Jayden Reed] back. These guys have got really good experience and they’re really good players. Those are the guys you’re leaning on right now.

“I think Golden’s got a really bright future. He’s very talented and his time will come, but I think, right now, with the room the way it is, he’s not gonna be in that premier role when the playoffs come around. But, again, if you told me that he’s the number one receiver on a play, I’d be very excited about it, too. We have a lot of really good options when it comes to wide receiver right now, which is a blessing.”

Inside Packers rookie Matthew Golden's breakout performance 3 Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) reacts after a 45-yard reception during the second quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Part of Golden realizing the “really bright future” Stenavich suggests is within reach, is continuing to build rapport and timing with Love.

According to Pro Football Focus, Golden hasn’t dropped a pas, and Love has a strong 96.3 passer rating when targeting him this season.

That kind of consistency, combined with an offseason’s worth of working with Love may hold the key to the Packers deploying the former Texas standout as the game-changer his speed projects him to be at the NFL level.

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

More must-reads: