Expectations around all of the young receivers for the Green Bay Packers have been high over the last few years. For a variety of reasons, those expectations have yet to be met. But that doesn’t mean the team still doesn’t have high hopes for the wideout group. That’s at least the case with Matthew Golden.
Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich explained to reporters to begin this week how well Golden has looked this offseason. Stenavich then, at least indirectly, challenged the receiver ahead of his second season.
“He’s looked great so far and it’s going to be a big year for him,” Stenavich said, via The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dominique Yates. “I’m excited to watch it.”
The Packers drafted Golden at No. 23 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he had 29 receptions and 361 receiving yards.
Matthew Golden Expectations Entering 2026 NFL Season
Golden entered his tenure with the Packers with a lot of expectations. The Texas Longhorns product became the first first-round wide receiver for Green Bay in 23 years.
Before 2025, the last time the Packers had drafted a wideout with their first pick was Jordy Nelson in the second round during 2008.
As a rookie, Golden didn’t have a big role in Green Bay’s offense. He played just a little more than half of the team’s offensive snaps. Golden was fourth on the team in targets, tied with tight end Tucker Kraft, who missed the final nine games of the season.
But the Packers allowed Romeo Doubs to leave in free agency. Furthermore, the team traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles.
That cleared a path for Golden to play a significant role in 2026. Stenavich made that clear with his blunt response on the second-year wideout Monday.
Packers WR Depth Entering 2026 NFL Offseason Workouts
While Green Bay parted with Doubs and Wicks this offseason, the Packers still have plenty of receiver depth to support Golden.
Christian Watson returned healthy during the second half of last season. Despite playing only 10 games, Watson was second on the team with 611 receiving yards. He averaged 17.5 yards per reception and scored six touchdowns.
Behind Watson and Golden, Jayden Reed and Savion Williams could emerge as capable weapons as well. The Packers grabbed Williams in the third round during the same draft as Golden a year ago.
As a rookie, Williams had 10 catches for 78 yards with a touchdown. Reed finished with 19 receptions for 207 yards while playing seven games last season.
In 2024, Reed posted 55 catches, 857 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
During NFL free agency, the Packers took a flier on wideout Skyy Moore. With the Kansas City Chiefs, Moore was a second-round pick, but he hasn’t posted more than 250 receiving yards in any of his four seasons.
The Packers have four other receivers on their offseason roster as well — Jakobie Keeney-James, Isaiah Neyor, Will Sheppard and J. Michael Sturdivant.
Green Bay will see the receiver group on the field together for the first time this offseason on May 26. The next round of offseason workouts for the Packers will be May 26-27 and 29.
The team has its mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 9-11.
Packers OC Challenges WR Matthew Golden Ahead of 2026 NFL Season