Setting expectations for Matthew Golden's rookie season

Matthew Golden has the talent and the opportunity to emerge as the Packers' No. 1 receiver in 2025, but he must overcome a quarter century of history to make that a reality.

If not for last week's shocking acquisition of All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, no Green Bay Packers debut would garner more fanfare this season than that of Matthew Golden. The rookie arrived in Wisconsin as the first wide receiver selected by the franchise in the opening round since 2002, a fact which outgoing team president Mark Murphy played up like a WWE wrestler to an ecstatic Green Bay crowd during the announcement.

However, in the weeks that followed, the discourse surrounding Golden quickly transformed from mere excitement over a first-round wideout to a genuine belief among those at 1265 Lombardi Ave. that he might offer more than the typical rookie pass catcher.

Less than a month after the draft, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported that the "early returns from Green Bay say the rookie's overall athleticism has already shown up." Additionally, the Packers seemed so impressed with the first-rounder's work to that point that Breer wondered "whether a receiver shakes free in a trade based on Golden's development."

The hype train only gained speed once training camp arrived. Golden's hands became the topic du jour in late July and early August, with head coach Matt LaFleur already suggesting that the wideout could handle both boundary and slot duties as well as jet motions and other offensive gadgetry.

Because the Packers' No. 1 offense saw limited snaps in the preseason -- even fewer than initially planned due to an injury to quarterback Jordan Love's left thumb -- Golden played only a handful of snaps. However, his first catch came on third-and-7 to extend the drive. Later that same possession, All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner committed defensive pass interference to prevent Golden from moving the sticks again.

Those moments hinted at Golden's ability to make adversity plays. The rookie upped the ante during the Packers' preseason finale with one of the best catches by anyone on any team during the preseason.

In that moment, Golden shifted the discussion surrounding him again. No longer do most people wonder if the rookie looks ready for the real games. Rather, they wonder if he will emerge as a bona fide No. 1 receiver, the kind the Packers have lacked the past three seasons.

Golden could indeed develop into that player before the end of the 2025 season, but that represents just one of many possibilities. Setting expectations for him requires finding a balance between a quarter century of history and a set of circumstances in which he can thrive from the jump.