Matthew

Golden

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.

Three days after Watson was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation of an upper body injury he sustained against the Broncos, he’ll practice in a limited capacity. “He’s improving. We’ll just see how he’s feeling out there,” LaFleur said. It’s a good sign for his Week 16 availability against the Bears. Watson has emerged as Green Bay’s WR1 over the past month, seeing 20 percent of the team’s targets for 35 percent of the air yards over that stretch. If Watson is sidelined in Week 16, Matthew Golden would have some intrigue as a volatile WR4 option.

Golden tied with Jayden Reed for the team-high in receiving yards in Sunday’s loss, and drew a 25-yard DPI on Riley Moss in the third quarter to keep a drive alive. That drive ended with a 40-yard touchdown run by Josh Jacobs on the following play. Golden continues to show flashes in his rookie season but has yet to live up to the billing that made him the No. 23 overall pick in this year’s draft. Fantasy managers can avoid him in Week 16.

Golden is good to go for his fantasy-unfriendly role as a rotational wide receiver. Golden could catch a long pass, but he does not have the snap share requisite for season-long, re-draft FLEX consideration. He does not need to be rostered at this time.