Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden. Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Packers rookie WR Matthew Golden will no longer wear No. 22

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 4:33 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers have been the talk of the NFL over the last couple of days thanks to their blockbuster trade from now-former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Green Bay, which traditionally has been highly protective of its draft capital, sent two first round picks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark to Dallas in order to get Parsons, himself a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro.

On Friday, when introduced to the Packers media for the first time, Parsons revealed that he will be wearing jersey No. 1 for Green Bay, last worn by the franchise’s founder, Curly Lambeau. He had worn No. 11 in college and in Dallas, but that number is currently worn by wide receiver Jayden Reed.

But while Reed is keeping his own number, Parsons’ decision to choose No. 1, and the organization’s decision to allow him to have it, has seemingly influenced rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to change his number.

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden is switching to jersey No. 0

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (22) against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Seahawks 20-7. Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

As mentioned, Parsons will be donning jersey No. 1, making him the first player in over 100 years to wear that number (during the regular season) for the Packers.

But no one in franchise history has ever worn jersey No. 0, which was another number that Parsons was considering choosing after his trade to Green Bay.

But since he is taking No. 1, Golden has apparently decided that he will take No. 0:

0

— Matthew Golden (@MatthewGolden_) August 30, 2025

The Packers confirmed the change in their own post, which revealed that Jaire Alexander’s No. 23 is being reassigned to backup running back Emanuel Wilson.

Update: pic.twitter.com/vo7aku3c31

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 30, 2025

Golden had previously chosen No. 22, a decision that many fans did not like because it is not a number that is traditionally worn by wide receivers. He had worn No. 2 in college, but that number is currently claimed by backup quarterback Malik Willis.

It is interesting to note that these number assignments, while trivial in the grand scheme of things, have come just mere weeks after the traditional Mark Murphy stepped down as CEO and president of the organization. There is some conjecture on social media that his successor, Ed Policy, is a little bit more relaxed in the assignment of numbers.

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

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