The Packers Are Counting on Matthew Golden To Play a Bigger Role in 2026

The Green Bay Packers used a first-round pick on a wide receiver for the first time in more than two decades last season. They selected Matthew Golden to improve a position that has lacked a legitimate number one receiver since the Packers traded Davante Adams to the Raiders after the 2021 season. Although the Texas alum saw only limited playing time as a rookie, the Packers are counting on Matthew Golden to play a bigger role in 2026.

The Packers Are Counting on Matthew Golden to Play a Bigger Role in 2026: His Rookie Season

Golden played 14 games as a rookie, missing three contests with assorted injuries. He caught 29 passes for 361 yards. His only touchdown came in a strong performance in the team’s playoff game in Chicago where he caught four passes for 84 yards and a score.

Golden saw more playing time early in the season when Christian Watson and Jayden Reed were both out with injuries. Once the injured players returned, Golden’s role was reduced. He showed glimpses of the ability that made him a first-round pick, but he wasn’t consistent enough to establish himself as a starter. Golden made some rookie mistakes on his routes but showed good hands. He was only credited with one drop all season and that came in the regular season finale.

GM Brian Gutekunst was pleased with the overall performance he got from Golden as a rookie. “With all the opportunities we gave him, I thought he did an excellent job,” Gutekunst told reporters after the season ended. “I would have loved to have seen him get more opportunities through the year. It didn’t work out that way. But when he did, he performed, and he performed at a high level. I’m really excited to see where he goes in year two.”

Changes to the Receiver Room

The Packers made major changes to their receiver room over the offseason. These changes illustrate the confidence they have in Golden.

The team parted ways with Romeo Doubs, who led the team in catches last season. Doubs signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots.

Later in the offseason, the Packers traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles for a day three draft pick. They also signed Reed to a contract extension that will keep him in Green Bay beyond the 2026 season.

These moves made the roles for the remaining wide receivers more clearly defined. Entering training camp, the Packers expect Golden and Watson to be the starters on the boundary with Reed operating out of the slot. That allows 2025 third-round pick Savion Williams to be the next player on the depth chart with other receivers battling for the other two spots likely to be up for grabs.

The Packers Are Counting on Matthew Golden to Play a Bigger Role in 2026: Looking Ahead

The Packers are counting on Golden to assume a starting role. Last week, passing game coordinator Jason Vrabel expressed his feelings about Golden as we approach OTAs.

“He’s always been able to catch the ball and run through the football, and that’s what great receivers do,” Vrabel said. “His hand-eye coordination, I’d say, is one of the better ones I’ve been around. So, he can do that, but now the mental part, he’s starting to become a lot more confident. And I can feel it, you know? But I’ve always said, ‘If you don’t know the playbook, guys, inside and out, and every adjustment and every route conversion and when the quarterback’s going to throw it,’ I think it’s hard to play fast all the time, because there’s always a little bit of doubt. And just doing the reps over and over again and competing the way he does, we’re all fired up about him.”

Being fired up is one thing, but producing on the football field is something else. All the potential means nothing if Golden doesn’t get it done on the football field. That is his big challenge now. The opportunity is there, now Golden needs to take full advantage of it.