Packers Fans Declare Rookie Receiver WR1 After Wild Catch in Preseason Finale
One amazing catch is all it took for Green Bay Packers fans to be fully won over by the team’s latest draft pick. At the end of the day, Green Bay drafted a receiver in the 1st round for the first time in 20 years for a reason.
Even without Jordan Love, their No. 23 overall pick balled out in the preseason finale. The Seattle Seahawks stood no chance as Malik Willis dropped a dime from his own two-yard line.
Matthew Golden’s Viral Catch Leaves Green Bay Packers Fans in Awe
Matthew Golden may only have two preseason catches, but they’re big ones. His first came in Week 1 as it was Love’s lone completion of the game. After a pair of drops, Golden showed off his hands and won over the Green Bay faithful.
Fast forward to Week 3 and he’s making a highlight reel catch against the Seahawks. Credit Willis for the throw, but Golden made a catch that most of the Packers receiving core wouldn’t have come down with. He’ll officially finish the preseason with two receptions for 46 yards.
.@Packers first-round pick Matthew Golden looking the part 🧀
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His 39-yard reception went viral on social media. In a game where 19 Packers were inactive, Romeo Doubs recorded Green Bay’s first touchdown. It was a welcomed moment for No. 87 who HC Matt LaFleur confirmed is not on the chopping block.
Golden’s viral catch comes just days after NFL.com’s Dan Parr predicted him to finish the season with 973 yards. Parr believes that Golden will average 14.5 yards per reception as he finishes the 2025 season with six touchdowns.
WR1 Title Gifted to Golden by Packers Fans
With Jayden Reed’s status unknown, it’s only fitting that Packers fans are ready to go all-in on Golden. The rookie receiver has already done enough to be named WR1 in the eyes of the fans.
“WR1 and Rookie of the Year. Book it,” this fan said. Someone else brought up the Packers receiving core, “He was exactly what they needed to compliment Christian.” Christian Watson will begin the season on the PUP list, though he was the team’s primary deep ball threat. Ultimately, his health has been an issue.
Came back for it to make the catch 😮 @MatthewGolden_
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One fan wrote, “Never got out of my seat for a pre-season game like that.” Golden’s catch had Packers fans sharing the video left and right. On another post, someone commented, “He’s going to be great in the league for a long time.”
Matt Schneidman, Green Bay’s beat writer for The Athletic, posted, “Matthew Golden is ready.” While Packers fans loved the throw, one fan responded, “Take him out of the game now please.” Green Bay did exactly that as they are unwilling to endure another injury.
NFL Insider, Jordan Schultz, wrote, “Packers rookie WR Matthew Golden makes a sensational catch, a major theme of Green Bay’s training camp.”
Longtime Packers reporter, Rob Demovsky, had plenty to say, “Matthew Golden has shown just about everything there is for a WR to show in his rookie preseason. His 39-yard catch on the last drive showed his contested catch ability. It came with less than a yard of separation per NextGenStats.”
Green Bay opens their season against longtime rival, Detroit Lions, at home on Sunday, September 7. It’ll be Matt LaFleur’s first Week 1 game at home in his lengthy tenure as the Packers head coach. As it stands, Jordan Love (thumb) will start.
