The Green Bay Packers have released their inaugural 2025 depth chart. There weren't many (if any) surprises, though there were some noteworthy takeaways.
Chief among them is rookie Matthew Golden being listed as a starting wide receiver alongside Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed.
Golden has generated buzz throughout Green Bay's offseason workout program and is ostensibly being rewarded for his efforts. Packers franchise quarterback Jordan Love has spoken highly of him, and the team's latest action reflects everything we've heard until now. Fans have reasonably been focused on this year's No. 23 overall selection, and this move tells us the hype is real.
Packers fans will take a victory lap after Matthew Golden tops WR depth chart
Some will be quick to remind you that clubs don't put much stock into their unofficial pecking order, like Rob Demovsky of ESPN. He jokingly acknowledges how a public relations employee typically fills this out. Packers vice president of communications Jason Wahlers presumably got so much as a nod of approval from head coach Matt LaFleur before publication. However, Green Bay seemingly isn't bluffing here, with Golden slated for a significant role from the jump.
There's palpable excitement in Titletown surrounding Golden's immediate and long-term outlook. After all, he became the organization's first first-round wideout since Javon Walker in 2002. By all accounts, including Love, the former Texas standout has turned heads this summer. His speed, explosiveness, and big-play ability have been on full display, albeit in a controlled environment.
Love has publicly declared that his shiny new toy will be a "stud." Following a "tremendous camp," it "might not be all that shocking if [Golden] quickly" became his primary target, per Jeff Howe of The Athletic ($). Moreover, the 22-year-old not only has the talent to make an instant impact, but he also has a massive opportunity in front of him.
Jayden Reed only recently shed his walking boot and is reportedly dealing with a Jones fracture, an injury that often requires surgery, at least for receivers.
Green Bay's 2022 second-rounder Christian Watson is recovering from a torn ACL and was placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), sidelining him for four-plus games. Meanwhile, despite LaFleur emphatically shooting down the idea, Romeo Doubs has been at the center of trade speculation.
In other words, the Packers need Golden to emerge and live up to the lofty draft billing sooner rather than later. Uncertainty in Green Bay's receiver room makes his spot in the lineup more of a necessity than a luxury. Even if Reed and Watson were healthy and Doubs was locked into their plans, this group still needs an alpha.