Hopes are high on Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden to turn into an effective downfield weapon for the team. Selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft, Golden managed to shine right away in his first practice in training camp on Wednesday, as he caught a touchdown pass from Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis.
Getting on the same page and building chemistry with the Packers are some of the goals in the training camp by Golden, who was the first wide receiver taken in the first round of a draft by Green Bay since 2002.
Green Bay Packers rookie catches attention of LaFleur in first practice
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
It will take more time for the Packers to truly gauge Golden, but what he’s been showing so far is promising. It’s not just the talent that’s getting attention, but also his attitude toward the work and the competition on the field.
“I think he’s definitely not afraid of hard work,” LaFleur said of Golden (via Zach Kruse of Packers Wire). “He cares about the game. He’s going to put the time in and he’s going to be dedicated,” LaFleur said. “It’ll be great to watch him, when we get the pads on, when we practice with other teams, when we get to preseason games. There’s a lot of competition in that room. Those guys are going to have to fight for all those opportunities.”
Golden has a, well, golden opportunity to win a starting role for the Packers. Depending on who things shape up, he could even become Green Bay’s unquestioned WR1 down the road. For now, Golden will have to continue proving himself alongside the likes of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and, when healthy, Christian Watson.
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