Packers Believe Matthew Golden Set For Big Second Season

BusinessSportsMoneyPackers Believe Matthew Golden Set For Big Second SeasonByRob Reischel,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL.Follow AuthorJun 02, 2026, 08:31pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Green Bay wide receiver Matthew Golden dives into the endzone during the Packers' Wild Card loss to Chicago in January.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Matthew Golden caught a swing pass in the right flat, five yards behind the line of scrimmage.At the 20-yard line, Golden shook free of cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Then at the 17, he spun away from safety Jaquan Brisker.Golden hurdled nickel back Kyler Gordon, who had been blocked to the ground, at the 15-yard line. Then when he reached the 5, Golden cut between safety Kevin Byard and defensive end Montez Sweat.As teammate Christian Watson held up his right hand, Golden leapt into the endzone.Angry. Explosive. Determined. Creative.Golden was all of the above on his 23-yard touchdown with 6 ½ minutes left in the Green Bay Packers’ eventual 31-27 loss at Chicago in a Wild Card playoff game in January.“I wasn’t going to go down, man,” Golden said Tuesday. “I had the mindset of getting in the end zone regardless of who was in front of me. How it was lined up, I didn’t want to go down. I just had to get in there.”In that moment, Golden showed why Green Bay used its 2025 first round draft pick — the 23rd overall selection — on the gifted wideout. In that same moment, the question begged why Packers coach Matt LaFleur didn't utilize Golden more during his rookie season?MORE FOR YOUGolden finished 2025 with somewhat pedestrian numbers of 29 receptions for 361 yards, an average of 12.4 yards per catch. Golden’s touchdown in Chicago was the only time he found the endzone in 2025.Granted, Green Bay’s wide receiv...