Matthew Golden could have a much bigger role in the Green Bay Packers' offense this season. The second-year WR has moved into the X receiver spot, giving him a crucial part in an offense that has opened up after a busy offseason.
Jordan Love said of Golden's new role during an NFL Network appearance at Packers training camp on Aug. 2. The quarterback also praised Golden’s camp and expects the young receiver to build on what he showed during his rookie season.
Matthew Golden Has a Bigger Opportunity With the Packers
Clubhouse Live with Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden in the Fox Club at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wisconsin on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Golden entered the NFL as a first-round pick last season. But unexpectedly, his rookie season never fully took off. The champ finished the regular season with 29 catches for 361 yards and missed three games because of injuries.
There were still moments that showed why Green Bay chose him. From late Sept. through mid-Oct., the WR caught 19 passes for 233 yards across four games. Injuries then interrupted his progress and limited his role for much of the rest of the season.
He found another spark in the playoffs. Against the Bears in Jan. 2026, the WR caught four passes for 84 yards. He also scored his first NFL TD on a 23-yard catch-and-run. It gave Packers fans an idea of the speed and energy Golden can bring to the offense.
But Green Bay now expects more from him. The Packers moved on from Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks during the offseason. That sort of sealed Golden alongside Christian Watson and Jayden Reed as the team's main WR guy.
Love spoke about Golden's new role during his NFL Network appearance at training camp on Aug. 2. “MG is locked in now over there at X, so I’m expecting big things. He’s had a great training camp so far and it’s all about just building on stuff from the year before,” Love said.
The X role does not mean Golden will stay on the boundary every snap. Matt LaFleur explained during training camp on Aug. 2 that the Packers can use motion and different formations to move receivers into other positions.
That flexibility could give Golden even more ways to get involved. LaFleur also pointed to the smaller receiver room as a reason Golden should see more chances. As a rookie, Golden averaged around three targets per game. Doubs and Watson each averaged more than 5.5.
Golden has already shown flashes. Now he has a crucial role, fewer players competing for snaps, and another year of experience in the offense. Christian Watson also praised Golden after practice on July 30, saying the WR has learned to win plays even when Love does not throw his way.
That development could be just as important as the catches. If Golden can keep making those small plays while taking advantage of his increased opportunities, he has a real chance to become one of Love’s favorite targets in 2026.
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