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Green Bay Packers” it’s Matthew Golden time in 2026
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- Green Bay Packers” it’s Matthew Golden time in 2026
The Green Bay Packers did not make many additions on the offensive side of the ball this off-season. Quite the opposite, actually. After a few years of having a crowded wide receiver room that they claimed allowed them to have the best chance to compete, Green Bay parted ways with two pass catchers that ranked among the team leaders in targets last season.
Romeo Doubs , who led the Packers in receptions and receiving yards (and tied in touchdowns) a season ago, was allowed to walk in free agency. Dontayvion Wicks , who was third on the team in targets, was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles .
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Meanwhile, both Jayden Reed and Christian Watson received contract extensions. And Matthew Golden , well, was given an open door.
Matthew Golden should play a big role on the 2026 Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) makes a reception for a first down during the second quarter of their wild card playoff game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.
When Golden was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many, himself included, expected him to have a big role on the offense and put up big numbers.
But that did not happen. Instead, Golden found himself buried on the depth chart behind the veterans. He ended up having just 29 receptions for 361 yards and no touchdowns, which to be fair is a pretty typical rookie season for wide receivers in Green Bay.
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But fans did not want Golden to just be another rookie wide receiver. They wanted him to be the next great Green Bay pass catcher.
In 2026, he just might be. Per ESPN :
"After all the buzz about the Packers finally drafting a receiver in the first round last year, Golden made a minimal impact as a rookie. He didn't catch his first touchdown until the playoff loss to Chicago. With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks having departed in the offseason, the door is open for Golden to become a bigger part of the offense.
"So far in OTAs, he has been a favorite target for QB Jordan Love.
"'I think there's a big step for guys coming into this league going into Year 2, and we expect that to happen,' coach Matt LaFleur said of Golden. 'We've seen a lot of that out on the practice field.'"
Watson and Reed will obviously be huge parts of the offense after signing their extensions this off-season. Additionally, tight end Tucker Kraft will be back after tearing his ACL midway through last season. At the time of his injury, he was the team leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
But Golden no longer has to worry about fighting for snaps. With Doubs and Wicks playing elsewhere, he is now the second starting boundary wide receiver with Reed playing the slot.
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As ESPN notes, he has been a favorite target of Jordan Love's during OTA practices. If that carries over the regular season, he will immediately become one of the most popular Packers players.
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