
Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden’s short-term outlook took quite a hit recently when offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich and head coach Matt LaFleur essentially said not to expect much from the former Texas Longhorns star wideout the rest of the way.
Following the development of Golden in the pros has been a frustrating one for him and Packers fans. Selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Golden has yet to have the breakout performance many thought he’d have sooner than later. But through 17 weeks of football, Golden has only accumulated 353 receiving yards on 28 receptions and 41 targets.
Golden certainly has what it takes to be a significant contributor to Green Bay’s offense, but som factors appear to be holding him back. LaFleur said that the team’s wide receiver depth has affected opportunities for Golden.
Right on New Year’s Day, a video of Golden’s overtime touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff back in his last season with the Longhorns grabbed people’s attention online.
This was Matthew Goldens last receiving touchdown
He hasn’t caught a touchdown in 365 dayspic.twitter.com/eoMB8GTZHX https://t.co/JFRW6ZP9ZI
— Ruben Hyppolite II DROTY (@AgentBagent_17) January 1, 2026
In that game, Golden had 149 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven receptions for the Longhorns, who defeated the Sun Devils, 39-31.
The video serves as a reminder of the incredible abilities of Golden downfield.
Hopefully for him, he gets to have that kind of moment again in the NFL, perhaps in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings.
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