Even though wide receiver Jayden Reed missed several games in 2025, the Green Bay Packers saw enough over the past few years to give him a long-term deal this offseason. The expectation was that he'd be a big part of the offense in 2026; alas, that came to a screeching halt two games in.
Reed suffered a season-ending neck injury on the second snap of Week 2. His abrupt and unfortunate absence left a massive void on offense, but second-year pro Matthew Golden has risen to the occasion and has been a major reason the offense is clicking.
Nobody wants to see players get hurt, especially in such a scary fashion as Reed did. However, the show must go on, and losing him has cleared the runway for Golden's ascension.
While the Packers miss Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden is thriving in his absence
There's no doubt that not having Reed is a massive blow. He recorded at least 900 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns in each of his first two campaigns before a foot issue and a broken clavicle derailed him in 2025. Someone had to soak up most of his 100-or-so opportunities, and Golden has been the biggest beneficiary.
While fellow Packers stud wideout Christian Watson has been impressive, Golden's made a massive leap in his second NFL season. The former Texas Longhorn has already surpassed his rookie totals (29 receptions for 361 scoreless yards) six games into this season, reeling in 30 catches for 501 yards with three touchdowns. Heck, he's made all the talk about him being a bust look silly in retrospect. Then again, his surge isn't particularly surprising.
Golden had already flashed potential in the Packers' playoff loss to the Chicago Bears last year. He picked up where he left off in the offseason and generated plenty of buzz in training camp. On the other hand, No. 0 still has room for improvement, too, which is the last thing opposing defensive backs want to hear.
The Packers lead the NFL with 20 drops after their Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and Golden paces the league with six. As it is, the passing game is humming; imagine just how great it could be if they cut down on the drops.
The Packers will have one of the best WR corps in the NFL when Jayden Reed returns
The silver lining of Reed's neck injury is that it's not expected to be career-ending, according to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur. That means that the 2023 second-round pick could tentatively return next year.
Fortunately, the Packers had playmakers ready to carry the load in Watson and Golden. Both deserve a ton of credit for Green Bay's high-octane passing game firing on all cylinders, and Jordan Love is playing like one of football's best quarterbacks. Once Reed is back, he'll turn an already talented duo into a fearsome, dynamic trio.
Injuries are an inherent part of a collision sport such as football, but when a player goes down, another has to step up. Golden has not only done that but has also flourished without Reed in the lineup.
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