According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Green Bay Packers made a big move on Thursday by agreeing to a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension with Christian Watson. Everyone from Jordan Love to Packers fans have to be thrilled with keeping their top target in the mix through the 2030 season but it would be understandable if Matthew Golden had a different opinion.
Golden is coming off a difficult rookie season, but had some momentum as Romeo Doubs left in free agency last spring and Watson was entering a contract year. With Jayden Reed also agreeing to a three-year extension earlier this offseason and Tucker Kraft likely to sign another before the start of this season, it could be easy for the second-year receiver to feel like he’s getting lost in the shuffle.
But the biggest benefit that Golden could receive is time and the big contract for Watson could allow him to develop at his own pace and become an even bigger part of the Packers’ plans.
Matthew Golden can take his time becoming an impact player for the Packers
Golden entered Green Bay with high expectations and got a WWE-worthy pop from the hometown crowd during the 2025 draft. But it was a challenging season for the Texas product. While he battled shoulder and wrist injuries that may have limited his effectiveness, he was viewed as a disappointment, catching 29 passes for 361 scoreless yards.
The Packers finally got Golden into the end zone during the Wild Card loss to the Chicago Bears, however, and Golden began to build momentum when Doubs left in free agency. With Reed and Watson both entering contract years, he may have been poised to have an even bigger role by the time the 2027 season rolled around but instead, he’ll serve as the No. 3 target.
Looking back on how the Packers have developed their receivers, that may not be a bad thing. Just last summer, many thought Watson would be on his way out of town as he rehabbed from a torn ACL and carried a lengthy injury history. After signing a one-year, $11 million extension, Watson only played in 10 games but appeared to take a step forward with a 17-game pace of 74 catches for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Reed and Doubs took similar trajectories to being key targets in the Packers offense and if Golden does the same, he could be rewarded. According to Spotrac, Reed’s contract has a potential out after the 2026 season where the Packers could eat $15 million in dead money and save $5.8 million against the cap. In the likely event he sticks around, Reed is still signed through the 2029 season, which is about the time when Golden is looking for his next big contract.
Even in the short term, Golden could still have a chance to break out. Watson’s injury history requires a solid insurance policy and having a WR3 with some upside could come in handy if he goes on the shelf again. While that could result in lighting some money on fire, it could also give Golden the chance he needs to contribute.
For now, time is on Golden’s side and that may be a good thing considering he’ll turn 23 on Aug. 1. If he develops and performs when his number is called this season, it could mean better things going forward even with the Packers’ top-dollar investment into Watson on Thursday.
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