Matthew Golden spoke to the Green Bay media for the first time since the end of the 2025 season on Tuesday, discussing a frustrating rookie campaign after becoming the first wide receiver drafted by the Packers in the first round since 2002.
He flashed early in the season, before fading into the background due to the return of Christian Watson and some nagging injuries. Golden’s lack of production as a rookie was more down to circumstance and lack of opportunity than a lack of talent.
Reflecting on his rookie year, Golden said: “It happened exactly how it was supposed to. It kind of developed me and my mindset. I wouldn’t change anything that happened last year.”
Golden finished the season with one of his best games of the year, putting up 84 yards on four catches, including his long-awaited first NFL touchdown in the playoff loss to Chicago.
The second-year wideout said he took confidence from that game and added: “That’s just scratching the surface of what I can do. There’s a lot in there and I know it, so I’m excited for the opportunities that are going to come this year.”
With Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks now plying their trade elsewhere, some more targets should open up for Golden in his second season.
On expectations in Year 2, Golden said: “I don’t feel like they’ve seen anything yet. I’ve got a lot of confidence in myself. I know there’s a lot more out there and I’m excited for it. I know I’m going to prove myself right.
“I’m looking forward to this year and I’ve got the mindset to attack everything that’s in front of me.”
Green Bay’s coaching staff have expressed optimism about Golden’s prospects for a breakout throughout the offseason, and speaking on Tuesday, head coach Matt LaFleur said he expects the receiver to take a big step in Year 2, adding: “We’ve seen a lot of that out on the practice field.”
Asked about Golden, fellow wide receiver Jayden Reed said: “It’s going to be a huge jump (in 2026). You can tell the game is slowing down for him, he’s learning the plays much better, you can tell he’s just more comfortable out there.
“I can speak from my point of view, going into year two, it was way more smooth, just even knowing the playbook, so you can tell he’s gaining that confidence and he’s going to be dangerous for this offense.”
Elsewhere in the receiver room, Bo Melton has been converted back to the offensive side of the ball full time, after moonlighting at cornerback last season. LaFleur confirmed he does not anticipate Melton doing any more work at corner and was full of praise for Melton.
LaFleur said: “He’s really made a lot of progress. Certainly he’s made a lot of plays for us (in the past) but I think he’s improved. You can tell he’s put in work from the time the season ended to where we’re at now, and is showing some of the things we wanted to see him improve upon.”
He said specifically Melton’s ability to attack the football has improved, and the receiver had a strong practice on Tuesday, catching two deep passes from Jordan Love during team drills.
Melton is clearly a favorite of the coaching staff, as well as in the locker room for his team-first attitude.
Asked about Melton, quarterback Love said: “I love having Bo out there. It’s nice to have him back on the offensive side fully and keep letting him work on his craft as a receiver. He made a couple of big time plays today, some down the field plays.
“Everybody knows in the locker room what kind of personality Bo is and he brings that energy and that infectious mindset, he’s a great person to be around.” Love described Melton’s attitude as: “Whatever it takes.”
He explained: “Whatever he can do to be on the field and make an impact for the team, whether it’s receiver, DB, special teams, he’s a guy that’s gonna do it, he’s gonna step up and he won’t complain about it. It takes a special type of mentality and mindset to be able to do that.”
Green Bay has a new wide receivers coach this year in Noah Pauley, who was most recently the pass game coordinator and wide receivers coach at Iowa State, where he worked with NFL draft picks Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Pauley was previously the wide receivers coach at North Dakota State, where he spent time with Christian Watson.
Discussing the new receivers coach before practice on Tuesday, LaFleur gave a glowing review, saying: “He’s super impressive. Really smart guy, has a great demeanor about himself. I think the guys have really bought into him, he’s a worker, he’ll grind, so I’ve been really happy with him.”
He will be tasked with getting the most out of Watson, who is coming off a career year, as well as Reed and the young receivers in Golden and Savion Williams in what is a crucial year for the Packers.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Matthew Golden ready to ‘prove himself right’ in Year 2 for Packers
Reporting by Mark Oldacres, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
