As the first wide receiver the Green Bay Packers selected in the first round since 2002, Matthew Golden entered the league with plenty of expectations. However, entering his second season, is it really fair to say there’s already a lot of pressure on him, especially considering the rest of Green Bay’s pass-catching group?
Let’s examine Green Bay’s receiving corps.
First, there’s Christian Watson, who signed a four-year, $110.5 million extension this offseason. He’s the most dangerous weapon the Packers have on offense and someone who deserves more targets. Ultimately, Green Bay made a huge investment in him, so it’s hard to imagine the 2022 second-round pick not being one of the focal points of the passing game.
Then there’s Jayden Reed, who had 90 targets as a rookie and led the team in that category in 2024. A broken collarbone cost him half of the 2025 season, but the Packers still rewarded him with a three-year, $50.25 million extension this offseason. That’s a significant investment in another receiver who, when healthy, has consistently been one of Jordan Love‘s favorite targets.
Then there’s Tucker Kraft. Before a knee injury cut his season short, he was playing at an All-Pro level and looked like one of the best tight ends in football. He should be ready for Week 1, and Green Bay’s offense is at its best when the ball is in his hands. He averaged more than 15 yards per catch last season and turned nearly 70% of his receptions into first downs. As long as he’s healthy, Kraft will continue to see plenty of targets.
So, we’re talking about two wide receivers who received major extensions this offseason and a tight end who has already established himself as one of the best in the league. Is it realistic to expect Matthew Golden to immediately become a bigger priority in the passing game than those guys?
He has all the talent to develop into Green Bay’s No. 1 receiver. Still, the Packers have heavily invested in Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Furthermore, Tucker Kraft will also get paid. Those are the players who are naturally going to see the bulk of the opportunities.
Still, it’s fair for Packers fans to have high expectations for Golden because the talent is obvious. The only thing to consider is that Matt LaFleur’s offense isn’t built around funneling targets to one receiver.
Like the Shanahan system it’s rooted in, the offense is designed to establish the run, create favorable matchups through motion and play-action, and let the quarterback throw to whoever the scheme opens up. That’s why, more often than not, the ball goes to the open man rather than a designated No. 1 target. If Golden consistently creates separation, the opportunities will come naturally.
I don’t buy the narrative that there’s a ton of pressure on Matthew Golden as he enters his sophomore season. The Packers already have two receivers on major contracts and an All-Pro-caliber tight end who will likely be next in line for a big payday.
Every team wants their first-round pick to live up to his draft status, but there’s no reason to force that process. If Golden is given time to develop, there’s far more reason to believe he’ll become the player Green Bay drafted than to think he won’t.
