Matthew

Golden

The Packers let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency and just traded away Dontayvion Wicks, so this isn’t exactly groundbreaking news. Still, fantasy managers are keeping close tabs on the Golden drumbeat after his dreadful rookie season, and this qualifies. Golden was limited to 361 yards in 2025 and struggled to find a consistent role in Green Bay’s crowded receiver room. Now there are no excuses for the former No. 23 overall pick. Golden will likely be stuck in a downfield role in his second season, but he has the speed to make the most of those opportunities. Fantasy managers should treat him as a boom/bust WR4 for now, though that could change in either direction very quickly.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter breaks the news, adding that Wicks will now sign a one-year, $12.5 million extension with the Eagles. Over the last four weeks, they also signed WR Hollywood Brown and WR Elijah Moore as well. Schefter reminds us that if the Eagles were to trade away WR A.J. Brown, that would probably happen after June 1st, “when the cap burden would be more manageable for the Eagles.” As things currently stand, Wicks will likely compete for WR3 duties. The trade also leaves Packers WR Christian Watson, WR Jayden Reed and WR Matthew Golden as the team’s top-three options after allowing WR Romeo Doubs to sign with the Patriots last month. The Eagles tacked on an additional year to Wicks’ contract after the deal, tying him to the franchise through the 2027 season. The extension includes $12.5 million in maximum money with $9 million guaranteed.

During a Monday interview LaFleur said Green Bay would “strip everything down and start like it’s Year 1 all over again” on the offensive side of the ball a year after the Packers had the NFL’s fourth highest EPA per play and fifth highest offensive success rate. “I just think reinstalling and trying to go through — it might take a little bit more time — but really get into the detail because that’s usually the separator,” LaFleur said. It’s an interesting offseason tidbit that would lead to a new-look Green Bay offense under Jordan Love in 2026. That could mean a slightly less run heavy approach, perhaps, after the Packers had the seventh lowest pass rate over expected in 2025. The Packers will likely be forced to increase WR Matthew Golden’s role after losing Romeo Doubs to New England in free agency.

Of course, he also says that he’s “not putting him above Christian Watson or Jayden Reed just yet,” as there’s space to grow from what Golden did as a rookie and still not hit any fantasy-intriguing upside scenarios. He probably deserves to be approached cautiously in offseason best ball formats, though it was nice to see him pop off for 4/84/1 in the playoffs before the Packers collectively turtled on a lost fourth-quarter lead to the Bears.

Golden’s touchdown was spectacular; a 23-yard pass that showed off his speed and ability to weave through traffic that gave the Packers a 27-16 lead with 6:36 remaining in the contest. The Bears would score the next 15 points, however, so Golden and Green Bay’s season has come to a close. The 2024 first-round pick disappointed for the majority of 2025, as he finished with just 29 receptions for 361 yards without a regular-season score, and he went above 60 yards just once before Saturday night. The talent is readily apparent, and while fantasy managers would be foolish to bank on it, it’d be anything but surprising if he broke out in 2026; especially if there’s some changes to the Green Bay receiving room.

Initially questionable, Wicks did not clear concussion protocol today and has been downgraded to out. It’s a small silver of hope for Matthew Golden to be involved in the game plan against the Bears, though he certainly isn’t a recommended play given how his season went.

Golden practiced in full all three times this week, but doesn’t currently have enough of a role to be a recommended DFS starter against the Bears.

Golden has been a full participant in both practices this week despite the unsettling injury listing. The rookie wide receiver has been unable to carve out a role in the offense and played extensively in Week 18 while the coaching staff rested its key starters.

Golden got more playing time than usual with the Packers resting their starters ahead of the postseason. The struggling rookie will head into the playoffs with 28 catches for 353 yards. He likely won’t see many postseason snaps as long as Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks are healthy.

Despite his first useful fantasy game (3/55) in some time last week against Denver, we’d caution against starting Golden in Week 16 as Christian Watson seems likely to play. Savion Williams (foot) is also off the injury report.