Packers first-round draft choice Matthew Golden is in Green Bay, because general manager Brian Gutekunst and the front office believe that his game-altering speed can elevate quarterback Jordan Love and an offense in need of a spark to take it to the next level.
While it has only been a month’s worth of OTA practices and now the Packers’ mandatory minicamp, Golden is making a strong first impression on his teammates, including arguably his most important one.
Packers’ Matthew Golden Impressing Jordan Love
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is already impressed by what he’s seen from the former University of Texas standout with 4.29 speed.
“I think from the get-go, from Day 1 when he got here, he’s showcased just the versatility he has running routes, the speed he has and his ability to catch,” Love told reporters, of Golden. “I think for him, every day he’s been getting better at just understanding what he needs to do. You could tell the first couple days there might be a couple routes here and there where he just might be thinking a little bit too much out there and not just going out there and playing fast, which is expected for someone who just got here and is learning the whole offense and everything.
“So, I think the faster he can pick up everything, which I think he’s been doing a great job of understanding where he needs to be and just knowing that, but obviously the more install, the more offense we put in, it gets harder. The more he can stay locked in with all that, I think he’s definitely going to be a playmaker for us and excited to see how far he can go.”
Golden picking up the intricacies of head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense, and playing faster, from a mental standpoint, could hold the key to him climbing the depth chart and increasing his target share from Love, as a rookie.
Last season, Golden caught nine touchdowns while posting a career-high 987 receiving yards and averaging 17 yards per reception.
If Golden can approach that kind of production, the Packers’ offense is going to put some serious strain on opposing secondaries in 2025, and beyond.
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