Hopes are high on Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to become an immediate impact player for his team in the 2025 NFL season.
The Packers made him the first first-round wide receiver pick in over two decades when they took him 23rd overall at the 2025 NFL draft. He has been making loud noises and grabbing attention at Packers training camp, and last week, the former Texas Longhorns star wideout made his NFL preseason debut.
Golden didn’t spend lots of time on the field in the Week 1 preseason showdown against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field, but he turned heads with a couple of plays. He beat Jets starter Brandon Stephens on a 3rd-and-7 play before coaxing Pro Bowler Sauce Gardner into committing a pass interference penalty.
Overall, Golden had seven receiving yards on a catch and a single target.
Green Bay Packers rookie gets advice from former NFL Rookie of the Year winners
Following the 30-20 loss to the Jets, Golden was seen having a conversation with Jets players who were also former NFL Rookie of the Year winners.
Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN:
If WR Matthew Golden has his sights set on Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, he got the chance to talk to a couple of guys who know what it takes to win it. After Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets, Golden stopped to chat with WR Garrett Wilson (2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year) and CB Sauce Gardner (2022 DPOY). Said Golden on Monday: “They gave me some feedback and just told me to keep going … just stay confident, keep playing hard.”
Golden has the talent, skill and speed to succeed in the NFL, but those are not everything one needs in the pro league. Confidence is also important, which Golden seems to have a lot of.
