Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed frustration with the team's offense at halftime of their Week 2 victory over the Washington Commanders. Taking a 14-3 lead to the break, he wasn't satisfied, citing self-inflicted wounds that resulted in points being left on the board.
Nonetheless, the irony is that shortcomings fall primarily on him, especially considering the stubborn unwillingness to unleash rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden.
Golden, the organization's first first-round wideout since Javon Walker in 2002, was virtually nonexistent in Green Bay's 27-18 Thursday Night Football defeat of the Commanders. He was held catchless, contributing 15 yards on two carries.
For what it's worth, Golden finished with two targets; he and Packers quarterback Jordan Love failed to connect on multiple game-altering explosives. The former's quiet outing and start to his NFL career isn't squarely LaFleur's doing, yet the lack of usage is a concerning trend.
Advancing to 2-0 has masked the issue, though Green Bay's sideline general must rectify the problem sooner rather than later.
Matt LaFleur must get rookie WR Matthew Golden more involved for Packers to reach ceiling
There was a lot of hype surrounding Golden entering the 2025 campaign. This year's No. 23 overall earned a starting receiver spot alongside Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed on the Packers' unofficial regular-season opening depth chart. The buzz from the summer hasn't translated to contests that count, but it's like LaFleur isn't even trying to get his new weapon involved.
Despite a historically unprecedented draft pedigree (by the franchise's standards), LaFleur is deploying Golden like a reserve. The one-time Texas standout is barely a part-time player, which the stats bear out. Snapping a two-plus decade drought aside, it's baffling, particularly because the Packers have a glaring need for a go-to pass-catcher.
In Week 1, Golden logged 23 offensive snaps (yielding two receptions for 16 scoreless yards). That number increased to 40 versus the Commanders, according to Pro Football Focus ($). Nevertheless, he questionably only ran 23 routes in the primetime clash with Washington.
Even after notably losing Reed to a broken collarbone against Washington, Golden wasn't much of a factor. The latter certainly could've helped the Packers overcome his absence. Meanwhile, unheralded veterans like Malik Heath and Dontayvion Wicks continue to soak up reps.
Green Bay has been searching for an alpha presence to emerge for Love. Doubs and Reed have settled in as complementary pieces. The recently extended Christian Watson can't stay healthy, and Wicks has well-chronicled drop issues. Winning cures everything, but it doesn't justify Golden's shortage of opportunities.