Welcome to the initial entry on our list of the best Green Bay Packers players to wear every jersey number from No. 0 to No. 99.
Now, as we progress through this process, we're obviously going to run into a number of no-brainers, given the list of legends who've donned the Green & Gold over the years. I mean, Cheeseheads and most NFL fans around the world know who's coming at No. 4. Or No. 12. Or No. 15. Or No. 66. Or No. 92.
But this first entry is a no-brainer in a different way, as No. 0 has literally been worn by just one player in Green Bay history, that being wide receiver Matthew Golden. So, while we've got a winner by default, we've got a winner nonetheless.
Matthew Golden was awarded No. 0 by the Packers just ahead of his regular-season debut with the Packers in 2025
For those unaware, No. 0 was worn by a few players around the NFL way back when, but in 1973, the league banned both No. 0 and No. 00 as part of an effort to standardize jersey numbers by position group. Those restrictions were loosened in April 2021, and in March 2023, the ban on No. 0 was lifted, with the only rule around the digit being that no offensive or defensive lineman could wear it. The ban on No. 00 remains, minus a few mascots, that is.
Golden, who became the first wide receiver taken by the Packers in the first round since Javon Walker when Green Bay made him the 23rd overall selection in the 2025 draft, came to Titletown hoping to wear No. 2, as he'd worn it at every level of football he'd ever played because it was his grandmother's favorite number.
But as that belonged to backup quarterback Malik Willis, he instead opted for No. 22 and even wore it during the preseason. But just ahead of the regular season, not long after the Packers traded for Micah Parsons, who was given No. 1, Golden, who still longed for a single digit, was given permission to become the first Packers player to wear No. 0.
The Texas alum didn't exactly set the world on fire in his rookie season, catching just 29 passes for 361 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 regular-season appearances. But he can't really be blamed for that lack of production, as his number wasn't called nearly as often as anyone thought it would be.
But in the Packers' wild-card loss to the Chicago Bears, Golden proved what he could bring to the table when given the chance, catching four passes on five targets for 84 yards, including his first career touchdown. Only time will tell how his career progresses, but he certainly has the talent to become a great player. For now, at least he's got the title of being the greatest Packers player ever to wear No. 0.
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