Wow. The Green Bay Packers have done it. The hometown fans erupted as team president Mark Murphy announced a pick 23 years in the making.
For the first time since 2002, the Packers have selected a wide receiver in the first round, landing Texas star Matthew Golden, a move that gives Jordan Love everything he needs. It was clear during the wild-card loss to the Philadelphia Eagles that the Packers needed another pass-catcher, and Golden is the game-changer this offense required.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers crushed the Emeka Egbuka dream, but it didn't matter because the Packers got their guy.
One can only wonder what Aaron Rodgers is thinking.
Packers give Jordan Love everything Aaron Rodgers dreamed of with Matthew Golden pick
Rodgers won four MVPs with the Packers, but he never got his wish for a first-round wide receiver. Even after the team reached the NFC title game in 2019, they passed on Tee Higgins to take Rodgers' replacement.
It didn't take long for the Packers to do something for Love that they never did for Rodgers. Golden is a game-changer. A player talented enough to go way higher than No. 23 overall.
Golden starred at the NFL Combine, running a 4.29-second 40-yard dash. He adds an element of speed that completely changes the game for LaFleur's offense. It also raises questions about Christian Watson's future, who will be a free agent in 2026.
It shows the Packers' belief in Love. He was continuously let down by his wide receivers last season, who ranked third in the NFL for drops.
Golden helps fix that. While they never admitted to needing a "WR1," the Packers' actions speak volumes.
They knew they needed to get Love the help he deserved. Now, they have.
Spare a thought for Rodgers, who can only wonder why it took this long for the Packers to finally end their two-decade-long drought.