It’s Time for the Packers to Turn Matthew Golden Loose
By GilMartin
The Green Bay Packers did something this season that they haven’t done in more than two decades: they drafted a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. GM Brian Gutekunst selected Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall pick in front of an exited home crowd at Lambeau Field. Through the first half of the season, Golden has been solid and shown flashes of the elite talent that made him a first round pick. But in the second half of the season, it’s time for the Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur to turn Golden loose and get him more involved in the offense.
So far this season, Golden has played all eight games for the Packers and started four. He has 23 catches on 29 targets for 262 yards. He has also run the football eight times for 45 more yards. The former Texas star has yet to find the end zone and is still looking to do his first Lambeau Leap.
Golden has made his share of rookie mistakes. He caught a deep pass earlier in the season that could have resulted in a 96-yard touchdown had he stayed in bounds. But he also done several things well. Golden has not dropped a pass yet this season according to Pro-Football-Reference.com. He has also gotten downfield to make several long catches.
Golden has been on the field for 60 percent of the Packers offensive snaps. He is third on the team in targets through eight games with 29 and third in catches. Only Romeo Doubs and Tucker Kraft have more targets and receptions and now Kraft is out for the rest of the season.
One thing we haven’t seen often this season is Matt LaFleur designing plays to get Golden open and get him the ball. Golden possesses 4.29 speed in the 40-yard dash and excellent hands. He can run both deep and intermediate routes and can play on the outside or in the slot. There should be some plays that are designed to get the ball in Golden’s hands. This will both get him more involved in the offense and bolster his confidence.
We have seen LaFleur run specific plays for other receivers. Savion Williams immediately comes to mind. The third-round pick gets designed jet sweeps and screen passes to make sure he gets the ball and gets a chance to use this size and athleticism to move the football. Why hasn’t LaFleur designed more plays to get the ball to Golden? Maybe the coaching staff has more confidence in Golden to know the playbook and run the right patterns than they have in Williams, but that shouldn’t stop them from designing plays for the rookie first round pick. If anything, Golden’s skill set and knowledge of the plays should give LaFleur more ways to get him the football.
The return of Christian Watson to the lineup adds another option for LaFleur. Because of Watson’s combination of size and speed, defenses have to respect him and will often assign a safety to follow him downfield when he runs a deep pattern. That could free up Golden to run underneath Watson to the area vacated by the safety on that play and to catch a 15-yard pass while Watson runs 30 yards downfield. Lining Watson and Golden up on the same side of the field could open up some interesting possibilities.
Right now, Golden is on pace to catch 49 passes in his rookie season. Those are respectable numbers for a rookie wide receiver, but not spectacular. But with Kraft out of the lineup, Golden should get more opportunities to catch the ball in the second half of the season. He should also be more comfortable with the offense and have a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in the NFL. As time goes by, he and quarterback Jordan Love should also develop more chemistry so they can improvise and be on the same page when plays break down.
Golden has all the tools to develop into a really good NFL receiver. If he can finish the season with a strong second half, he can pick up some of the slack caused by Kraft’s absence and set himself up for a bright future.
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Comments (36)
Snap the ball
November 06, 2025 at 10:32 am
Yes. Catch and run..
Watson also.
Wicks also hope he’s playing
Heath should gets some good blocks for these guys and 3 to 5 catch’s
Doubs needs to catch and run not sit down all the time
Cold game. Good stretching before hand
WATCH shoulders eagles players like to aim for them. Cheap shots
We should have beat them in the playoff game
Fumble and miss kick was the difference.
The games we lost came down to 1 or 2 plays
We are fine for the final push
splitpea1
November 06, 2025 at 10:54 am
First off, it strikes me as a little backwards that plenty of plays are designed for Williams and not Golden. If you have a speedster--even if he hasn't absorbed the finer points of the game--and routinely catches the ball, then this is the man you want to prioritize developing. Don't be shy about it.
Secondly, Love is sometimes not throwing him the ball even when he's open. It seems we're developing some "Romeo-vision" here. You can't ignore a player of Golden's talent. Get him the ball downfield or in space and watch him produce instead of giving him perfunctory opportunities or using him behind the LOS.
No excuses for him not to have a least a couple of TDs yet with Reed out and Watson just coming back. It's a misuse of resources.
KenEllis
November 06, 2025 at 10:59 am
COULD NOT AGREE ANY MORE.
Why spend a #1 on Golden and not unleash him ... when Watson and Reed have missed most of the games.
Williams is the project to be developed, not featured, and Wicks and Heath are just jags at this point.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:03 am
The big thing is this team has to be pass first now. Maybe with Chris Brooks and 6 O linemen they can get enough blocking for a decent run occasionally? But it's time to let Love cook! And with at least 3 WRs on the field it's hard to see why #0 shouldn't be one of them; he should get plenty of chances. Between him and #9 opposing defenses should be pretty stressed, leaving lots of opportunity for our WR3 too ...
TheKanataThrilla
November 06, 2025 at 05:13 pm
Maybe the "Trust Issue" thing wasn't an Aaron thing, but a Packer thing? I honestly thought that Golden had a great shot to be rookie of the year....seems quite hilarious now as he seems never targeted even though he shows a great ability to catch the ball.
KenEllis
November 06, 2025 at 10:55 am
After reading this article from yesterday -- "Time for Musgrave and Golden to Take Over", I'm sensing a theme here on CheeseheadTV.
https://cheeseheadtv.com/blog/time-for-musgrave-and-golden-to-take-over-238
Lphill
November 06, 2025 at 11:09 am
Packers always bring first round picks along slowly , only exception was Clay , Van Ness should have been playing more from the jump, a first round talent should be a starter .
PackerBackerAZ
November 06, 2025 at 12:24 pm
You could have picked any other first round pick and been closer to right. Van Ness has first round talent and street FA ability, that is as good as he gets, apparently.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:05 am
Very silly.
LVN wasn't ready for more snaps his rookie year. He's played very well this year. Hopefully he's 100% soon ...
KenEllis
November 06, 2025 at 01:20 pm
Savage played right away. Quay played right away. Stokes played right away and had his best season in GB as a rookie.
Only Doubs and Golden have been healthy of the top 5 WRs this season through 8 games. We needed and need Golden.
We didn't trade two 1st round picks for Micah Parsons so Golden could be brought along slowly and maybe contribute sometime in the future.
As for Van Ness, he has not done anything in his 2.5 years to merit much playing time.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:06 am
LVN has played very well this year. With him #1"and 52' on the field at the same time that's been very effective.
LambeauPlain
November 06, 2025 at 11:41 am
Golden's expectations are high but he hasn't exceeded them yet. He will eventually because of his talents: Speed and strong, reliable hands. Two talents are not consistently seen yet...and it is understandable for a rookie...blocking and route running.
Those are skills that can be developed. I have watched him on routes and several times if runs into coverage or double coverage he just stops and turns and looks at the play's completion. He rarely adjusts his routes while reading coverage to try to make himself an open target.
And another issue will probably cost him targets now...opponents know pressuring Love greatly reduces his effectiveness. Over the last several games, Love has had around 2 seconds to throw and he trusts Doubs to be where he should be and quickly looks his way when getting quick heat. Alas, Tucker was too. Expect Watson will now be a quick read under pressure. Jacobs as well. Brooks showed some productive, quick outlet passes too.
As some have stated, I agree Golden should be dedicated to the slot now and Watson and Doubs should be the wideouts. (Should use Musgrave in the slot too)
PackerBackerAZ
November 06, 2025 at 12:29 pm
Golden's ineffective blocking keeps him from being featured. LaFleur insists on the receivers being able to block in the run game. I imagine that's to prevent defenses from knowing a pass play is definitely coming. Doesn't make it right with his speed and hands.
13TimeChamps
November 06, 2025 at 03:06 pm
" LaFleur insists on the receivers being able to block in the run game"
Then maybe they shouldn't have drafted a 5'11"/190lb receiver. They have plenty of other receivers who can block. He brings other qualities other than blocking. Speed and great hands. Utilize his strengths.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:18 am
Yup, I'd be surprised if he ever becomes a great blocker. Get him back from injury and keep him fast! Don't use him as a returner and don't try to turn him into Malik Heath or Savion Williams, let him do what he does well and he can help you win ...
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:15 am
MLF hasn't fooled anybody about if it's a run or pass play much lately; not at all last year, and only increased mobility from JL10 has helped that this year.
Becoming pass first, stressing defenses that way, and that opening up some occasional running opportunities seems like a winning strategy right now. I'd be surprised if there's much success without 6 O linemen.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:11 am
We don't have anybody that really adjusts well to become open when Love's getting harassed. If #85 develops that sort of connection he might become one of the best TEs ever, but in the meantime pass pro requires MLF doing something different. Any success at that should show up as ALL our WRs becoming more productive.
BELIEVER
November 06, 2025 at 11:41 am
I didn’t understand the Savion Williams pick, seems like a wasted pick.. I sure would like to have a corner right now or another big body for defense. Forcing the ball to Williams I don’t get it. Another 3 round head scratcher.
jannesbjornson
November 06, 2025 at 01:34 pm
WE went over this cloudy decision during the NFL Draft. Another guy to get the shit kicked out of him in the Shanahan Demo-Derby offense. Cornerback, or DT was on the menu. They needed a guard in 2024, he took a LT.
They needed a LT in 2023, he takes Van Ness over Broderick Jones. Not a complicated puzzle to solve.
Leatherhead
November 06, 2025 at 02:07 pm
I loved the Williams pick. I thought he was a clear Top 100 pick and a guy we should target in the third round. I saw him as a college junior just lacerate the UT team. Big guy, catches, runs well. A smart guy, by all accounts.
Not a wasted pick. This guy's best football is in front of him. He's going to make big plays for us.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:22 am
We won't be able to keep all our best WRs next season, that's why #83 was a good pick. Having him and #0 on rookie contracts for a while is incredibly important to this team! This season? Maybe MLF wants to save some plays for later but losing games is never a good idea.
T7Steve
November 06, 2025 at 11:49 am
I know you expect me to say this, but here I go anyway.
Great speed is nice, but it doesn't have any effect in the NFL for the first 2 or 3 seconds. If Love has a tick more of reliable time all the things that make Golden and Watson a great nightmare for the teams playing against them will come into play. Fix the O-line problems and there will be rewards for everyone on the offense.
I think they run those plays to Williams now to lighten up the wear and tear on Golden, so I'm ok with it because MLF likes to use that kind of play allot.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:24 am
Not only to save wear and tear but also to be able to use plays for the first time lately in the season. That's great strategy but only if you win.
Snap the ball
November 06, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Ok
It’s simple. The Vikings almost beat them in Minneapolis with Wentz.
If we can’t beat them at home by 8 plus ….then you can figure out the rest.
8 plus Monday night
greengold
November 06, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Was just talking to a Texas alum about the Packers likely turning Golden loose earlier this morning. Makes a ton of sense. I'm here for all of it.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:27 am
And not just #0, gotta become a pass first team now! Establish the pass to set up the run might prove doable, but MLF is forced to let Love cook ... (I think he also needs to rely on 6 O linemen for pass pro, and Chris Brooks is still our best RB for pass pro)
WD
November 06, 2025 at 12:34 pm
In last weeks loss to Carolina the Packer offense lacked creativity and discipline on offense. Even worse, they were sooo... predictable. Usually a couple of runs by Jacob up the middle averaging only a couple of yards. Then a predictable pass to Doubs in a futile effort to pick up a first down. Add to that the all too predictable penalties to kill virtually every drive. It can only be viewed as a recipe for defeat. They played right into Carolina's hands.
Next we play the Superbowl champs and running back Saquon Barkley. I am sure the Eagles are licking their chops to have a big day both running the ball and passing as needed. On defense I think we miss Van Ness more than we thought; either at edge or in the middle. The sooner he gets back the better.
Out team is as good as the Eagles. They need to show it to win.
T7Steve
November 06, 2025 at 02:01 pm
You're getting it.
All the articles this week keep talking about how to use all their weapons.
You can't play with your toys till you get your yard work done up front. Till they have to respect one thing you can't take advantage of another. If they're taking away Jacobs the Packers have to be able to pass, but it seems they don't have to put extra people up to stop him because we can't seem to block who's there and then they're able to rush the Love too.
Leatherhead
November 06, 2025 at 02:20 pm
I think the Packers can win this game if they don't turn over the ball and score at least 27 points.
We can't let teams take away Jacobs. He's our engine. We have to find ways to help him help us.
If we're going to pass, we should throw it downfield. The WR screens and stuff are fine for flattening out the defense, but we've got to throw it downfield more often.
T7Steve
November 06, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Yes. We need to get back to the basics. They're playing like it's the first game of the season when they played the first game like they should be playing now. Impose their will and the stuff will start to flow again.
I'll give them a little break because of injuries but, Carolina didn't need a break for injuries so where does that leave the Packers? Actually, I think Carolina is a sneaky good team and is getting better. They stuck with what worked and imposed their will on the Packers.
Leatherhead
November 06, 2025 at 02:44 pm
Ask yourself, are the Packers the team that lost two games 13-10 and 16-13, or are they the team that went 5-0-1 in the other six games, scoring at least 27 each time?
I agree that Carolina is a better team than they've been. They're 5-4, they just beat us, they have one of the league's better run games and they play good defense.
In four days, we'll know. Either we beat the Eagles and we can claim to be one of the best teams in the NFC, or we won't, in which case we can't.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:39 am
Yes and yes. GB is the team that lost to Cleveland and Carolina, AND the team that won the first two games in convincing fashion. As fans, we need Doubs' helmet (including guardian cap) just to avoid whiplash!
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:34 am
If MLF continues game planning for #8 to be the offensive engine, he's got to get run blocking going right away. I think that would be unwarranted confidence, no matter how well he might plan for it.
Become pass first with 6 O linemen to block, establish that successfully, and become opportunistic when that opens up the ability to run the ball, and try to regain some balance to this offense that way. I can see that strategy working, but it would mean almost 0 TE use at least for a bit, and also using Chris Brooks quite a bit more except on plays with 6 O linemen and 4 WRs.
Whatever MLF does it's got to be a major change, and not just against the Iggles.
Snap the ball
November 06, 2025 at 01:59 pm
Eagles weren’t the best team in the NFC last year
Packers, Rams and Bucs are better.
We played sloppy and turnovers and Rams got screwed on a call at the end of the game otherwise they win.
You don’t get those calls in Philly.
Just play like you can and shouldn’t be an issue.
Packers by 8 plus
Leatherhead
November 06, 2025 at 02:03 pm
Doubs, Golden, Watson are going to have to be the 3 main dogs at WR. Musgrave at TE. Jacobs/Wilson are going to have to have success. We have to continue to protect the ball... we turned it over three times in seven games and then twice against Carolina.
It's going to depend on what we have going on the line. The offensive line has not developed into what was hoped for after getting Banks and drafting Belton. Yes, it does a pretty good job of not letting Love get hit, but it doesn't seem to be consistently creating space for Jones/Wilson. It's going to have to improve to win the division, IMO.
Right now, our season is one game long, and it starts Sunday. IF we win, we've clearly established we're a top team in the conference. IF we lose, we might still win the division, but we're not the best team in the conference.
SicSemperTyrannis
November 07, 2025 at 09:41 am
GB has used 6 O linemen successfully before. Has MLF ever done that?