Paul Bretl | 7/30/2025
GREEN BAY, Wis. — A 54-yard touchdown reception from Jordan Love to Matthew Golden not only showcased the playmaking abilities that we know the rookie receiver brings to the Packers’ offense, but also the growth he’s experienced in just six training camp practices.
During a move-the-ball period, the offense faced a third-and-four from their own 46-yard line. Golden was tasked with running a double-move just as he had done earlier in the week. However, on his first attempt a few days ago, he didn’t execute the route as cleanly as he wanted.
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But on Tuesday, Golden got another opportunity, made an adjustment with how he used his eyes, and got behind Keisean Nixon and Evan Williams to haul in the 54-yard touchdown catch.
“It was a route that I ran earlier in the week,” Golden said at his locker after practice. “As days went on, that’s something that I wanted to get better at. I had that route again today, I did something a little bit different, gave him my eyes, had the DB bite under and took the route high, and Jordan gave me a good ball.”
Like any young player, Golden is navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump from college to the NFL level. As Matt LaFleur described before the team’s third practice, he often sees that show up with Golden in how he’s processing what’s going on. “There’s a lot going on upstairs,” as LaFleur put it, but that’s also very normal as well.
However, Golden’s ability to adjust and execute the proper changes to lead to a more effective route is one example of how things are already beginning to slow down for him as he gets more reps under his belt.
Helping Golden to make those tweaks and gain a better understanding of the offense and his role within it is the feedback he receives from the defensive back room, specifically Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, and Xavier McKinney. Golden is also in constant communication with Jordan Love, who provides added insight into how he wants certain routes ran.
“It’s right where it’s supposed to be,” Golden said of working with Love. “I feel like I can go to him and ask him. He gives me a lot of feedback on different routes or anything he thinks I should do differently. It’s helping me to understand the offense more, knowing what I need to do and where I need to be.”
In addition to the 54-yard touchdown catch showcasing Golden’s explosiveness, his strong hands have been on display. On a sideline pass, Keisean Nixon had tight coverage and was able to get his hand in front of Golden to contest the throw, but he hauled it in anyway. On another play in the red zone, Golden ran a quick slant and plucked the ball out of the air before the safety could get over in time.
With his 4.29 speed, we’ve also seen Golden’s YAC ability. On a short throw towards the right sideline during an early practice, Golden put his foot in the ground and cut back towards the middle of the field, where he accelerated past the cornerback.
Golden has shown a naturalness when it comes to adjusting to the ball as well. While one throw ultimately ended up incomplete, a heave downfield by the quarterback at one point in the air looked like a possible interception with two defenders in coverage, but Golden adjusted his route and found himself in a position to at least make a play on the ball. Then, in one-on-ones vs. Carrington Valentine, on a deep ball down the left sideline, Valentine was tight in coverage, but Golden adjusted back towards the ball to make the catch.
“I think he’s done a really nice job with his opportunities,” GM Brian Gutekunst said. “And again, it’s very, very early in the beginning stages. But he’s done a very nice job with his opportunities. I do think being a three year guy, two years at Houston, one year at Texas, he’s young, certainly the exposure at Texas probably was very helpful coming in his ability to succeed at the end of that season.”
Like Gutekunst and LaFleur have said, it’s early; however, the playmaking potential that Golden provides and what made him a first-round selection has already been showcased through six training camp practices. And not only is Golden making plays, but he’s doing so in a variety of ways, whether that be downfield, after the catch, or at different levels of the field with his route running.
There are still likely to be ups and downs, as is the case for really any rookie, but the growth and impact Golden can have on the offense has been evident as well through just a handful of practices.
“It’s starting to slow down for me,” Golden said. “It’s starting to feel like I can go out there and just play and have fun, not have to think about what I need to do. It’s just going out there getting open, knowing my assignment and alignment. I’m enjoying it, every part of the process, the ups and downs, even when I don’t have a great day, it’s about how I’m going to get better the next day. That’s what I’m leaning on.”