It got to a point where Green Bay Packers fans had almost forgotten such an option even existed. With a Packers first-round picked wide receiver becoming folklore, a 5-foot-11, 194-pound star was all it took for the team to break its tw0-decade tradition. A little while after the pick, the team’s GM Brian Gutekunst had deadpanned, “Well, I really sent in a different name, but Mark [LaFleur] just announced what he announced,” before promising, “We got a good player we all really wanted. I think it was a really good night for the Packers… I think you guys are going to like him as you get to know him.”  

Matthew Golden, Green Bay’s latest golden boy (pun intended) sporting a giant ‘G’ necklace on Draft night, celebrated the feat with a classic shout-out, “Green Bay, it’s time.” The crowd present at Lambeau Field went absolutely wild with jubilation as did broadcasters. On social media, too, fans immediately started trending #GoPackGo and #MatthewGolden. But for a certain former Packers star, his take was pretty toned down.

Earlier this week, Aaron Rodgers arrived in Austin for a fan meet, when one audience member asked, “How do you feel about the Packers drafting a wide receiver in the first round?” For the quarterback, the answer was simple: It’s not about when you get picked but rather how you play. “Well, in my 18 years there, we picked three or four offensive players in the first round,” Rodgers started. “I’m counting myself in ’05. In 2010, we picked Bryan Bulaga, who played a big role for us at right tackle. In 2011, we picked Derek Sherrod, who got banged up and never really played. And in 2020, we picked J (Jordan) Love. The other years, we spent on defense. I didn’t throw a touchdown to a first-round pick until…Marcedes Lewis, who obviously wasn’t drafted by us. He was drafted by Jacksonville.“

The 41-year-old then mentioned, “But people maybe forget how many great second-round receivers…we had, which I can name,” he added. “Greg Jennings, we had in [2006]. We had James Jones in [2007], I believe, third round. Jordy Nelson, second round, top of the second round, 2008.” That’s when someone yelled to remind Rodgers of an important name he was forgetting. “Davante Adams, thank you, 2014,”

“So, we picked a lot of great players in the second round that I would say really panned out,” the Packers star concluded.

Long story short: The Packers surely didn’t include a promising receiver in their arsenal in the first round. But their second or third rounders? They were enough to complement Rodgers’ offense. But fast forward to now, Green Bay is now heading toward the 2025 campaign with a rewritten story.

When the Packers picked a WR at 23rd after 23 years, post-Aaron Rodgers era

Last month in Green Bay, when Mark Murphy announced in front of the home crowd that the Packers were drafting Matthew Golden at 23rd, you can argue that it was one of the most memorable moments for the fanbase. We’re talking about the moment of the decade. Golden entered the NFL draft after recording 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine TDs last season at Texas.

With a deep receiving corps in Green Bay, folks out there are speculating if Golden can lead his team over the top against the likes of the Vikings, Lions, and the Bears in the NFC North. Carmen Vitali of FOX Sports believes that “If he’s (Golden) treated like a true No. 1… you’re going to have to choose someone that Jordan Love can rely on. And if Matthew Golden can be that guy, live up to his draft position and all of that, I think that can go a long way.”

The silver lining for the Packers in the last season was that they made it to the playoffs despite a season that was marred by quarterback injuries. Hopefully, the wide receiver’s addition will act as another stepping stone to glory.