For the first time since 2002, the Green Bay Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. 23 years ago, it was Javon Walker who heard his name called on the first night of the draft. This year, it was Texas Longhorns star Matthew Golden.
Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, “Even before last season at Texas, where he caught 57 passes for 987 yards and 9 touchdowns, Golden had 76 catches for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns in two seasons at Houston.”
This kind of production is exactly what the Packers offense needs, especially with Christian Watson out for the start of the year as he recovers from a torn ACL. Additionally, the rest of Green Bay’s wide receivers struggled with drops last season.
Golden’s selection indicates that the Packers were not happy with the play from this position group in 2024 and that massive changes are on the horizon.
Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Matthew Golden Will Wear #22
The day after Golden was drafted by the Packers, they announced that he would be wearing jersey number 81 with the team. This decision was met with some backlash from fans on social media, who did not think that his new number was good enough for him.
Many wanted him to wear Malik Willis’ number two, the number Golden wore in college at Texas. Some wanted him to get number 84, which was worn by Sterling Sharpe, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.
The Packers/Golden must have been listening to the fans on social media because on Saturday, the third day of the NFL Draft, they announced he had a different number assigned to him already:
Slight update@amfam pic.twitter.com/PCupT0Jwq9
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 26, 2025
As one can see, instead of 81, Golden will wear number 22, a number that is no longer traditional for wide receivers. However, one can see the tie in his college jersey, two, which he has apparently worn throughout his life playing football.
As one might have expected, fans were not thrilled about this decision either:
Ewww, this is even worse!
— BucksRealm (@BucksRealm) April 26, 2025
81 wasn’t bad at all compared to this
— Captian Brian Knauer (@CaptKnauer) April 27, 2025
Possibly the grossest WR number I’ve seen. Certified bust material right here
— Mike Cilly (@Mcil9518) April 26, 2025
…now that’s just ugly.
— Matt M. (@TeamCrazyMatt) April 26, 2025
Gross that’s not a WR number
— Jason Patterson (@JasonPatterson) April 26, 2025
Of course, it will not matter what number he wears to fans if he is a productive player for the Packers. In a year, maybe less, this whole number fiasco will be forgotten (except by those that already bought a Golden 81 jersey).
More Green Bay Packers News from Gridiron Heroics
- How Matthew Golden Fits on the Packers and Wear They Go from Here
- Packers Legend Clay Matthews Kicks Off 2025 NFL Draft with Message from Donald Trump
- “This Is Where I Like to Be;” Packers See Travis Hunter Express Love for Green Bay
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