Matthew Golden's rookie struggles have been well-chronicled, but the Green Bay Packers still believe in his potential. Of course they do. They didn't draft him in the first round for nothing. And, while the Packers collapsed as a team, Golden ended last season on a personal high note in the Wild Card Round against the Bears.Â
Speaking on Wednesday, head coach Matt LaFleur highlighted that game as an example of what Golden must do to seize a wide-open opportunity in his sophomore season.
"There's a lot of opportunity for him to go out there and take. Although the season didn't end the way we wanted as a football team, I thought that was his best performance. I'm not even talking about catches or yards, just the playstyle that we're looking for. I thought he showed a lot of competitiveness."Â
That - that tough, smart, relentless playstyle - is the standard Golden must meet each week to make the next jump in his NFL career.
Matt LaFleur lays out clear expectations for Matthew Golden in Year 2
The head coach referenced one play in particular from that playoff game against the Bears. "That touchdown he had in Chicago was pretty spectacular," LaFleur said. "I think you got a glimpse of what he's capable of becoming on a consistent basis."Â
That 23-yard scramble, Golden's first NFL touchdown, put his 0-to-100 burst on full display. After securing a screen pass six yards behind the line of scrimmage, Golden blew by the first wave of would-be tacklers, spun his way out of the next defender's grasp, hurtled a man at the ten, and juked his way through contact to plunge into the end zone. It was, in short, a masterpiece of athletic artistry. That's the guy Packers fans want to see more often.
But LaFleur's comments also indicate that Golden isn't there yet. The play was a "glimpse," a sneak peek into what the speedy receiver is "capable of becoming." And it wasn't just that play. Golden also hauled in a 36-yard reception and finished with 84 receiving yards on the day. That's more than he had in his last five regular-season games combined. To realize his glittery potential, consistent focus and execution will be key. Â
To that point, Golden looked lost at times last season, unable to execute his routes properly. That disrupted his connection with quarterback Jordan Love. Golden was underutilized downfield and his target share suffered. Nagging hip and shoulder injuries played a part in his up-and-down season, but when healthy, Golden wasn't consistent enough to earn a central role on the offense.Â
If he wants to do so this season, LaFleur has made expectations clear for everyone on the roster, not just Golden.Â
"One of the things that we continue to talk about with our team, regardless of scheme, in all three phases, it's just that style of play. … Just your effort to the ball. Guys flying around, playing physical. That's what we're trying to develop right now."Â
The Packers manifestly believe in Golden's capabilities. They let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks, clearing the way for Golden as the No. 3 receiver behind Christian Watson and Jayden Reed. Leaning into the organizational ethos and his own competitive fire is how he can seize the opportunity at hand.Â
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