First Round Pick #23 - Matthew Golden WR - Texas

[Heyjoe4]

I only put that because people were talking about ridiculous trades. I wasn't talking to Gute. I was talking to us. I realize a lot of people like to talk what if even if it doesn't make sense. But it just clutters up things.imho

Yeah I agree. To me, the silliest trade rumors were about Doubs. I just don't see his value to another GM to justify what a few predicted would be a 3rd round pick. And all the other trade rumors about Edge - Garrett, Crosby, Hendrickson - were all just like wishes v reality.

I agree with the majority of your points so don’t think I’m negating that. The one thing I strongly disagree on is that GB somehow needs to make a huge jump on Defense. Imo it was more our Offense (dabble in some Teams mishaps) that held us down in 2024.

That's an interesting and accurate point about the value of the D to the team last year. There are two things to consider when assessing the D - 1) the team already has the horses on D and an elite Edge guy or CB aren't essential to this year's success (this seems to be Gluten's view), 2) while the D contributed more to last season's wins than the O, the D is unlikely to be anywhere "elite" - and "elite" to me is the Philly SB D. It's great to have a top 10 D, but unless it's among the top 3, a SB is not likely in reach.

While a big acquisition is virtually out of the question - a number of guys - Nixon, LVN, Wyatt, Walker, even Clark are gonna have to play much better than they did last year. So yeah, a significant jump in play from one or all of these guys will be necessary to make a legit SB run. IMO - that means the DL/DT/Edge group needs to get a lot more pressure on opposing QBs, and the overall play of the CBs has to increase significantly.

 

[tynimiller]

Everywhere I turn, there's another so called "sportswriter" going on about Doubs being traded and now they're saying he's going to be cut. I think they're reading what happened last year along with an injury this year, and him dropping two throws in a driving rain the day he gets back on the field to practice. Adding to the fire, his contract. Cut him and you pay him less than $200k, keep him and his contract is $3 million above that. Comments about cap room with him gone.

If the Packers do cut him, Doubs will find a home somewhere else, and he might come back and haunt us. He isn't the marginal type of receiver who doesn't have much to offer. He has the tools and can be a contributor if our QB utilizes his being on the field.

If he is on the 53-man roster, and performs well, I can just here all those pundits and fair-weather fans talking about how they "knew it all the time." He was going to be an important part of the Packer success this season. They have short memories.

Any writer saying he’s getting cut no one should ever read a letter of their **** again…seriously ignorant.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Any writer saying he’s getting cut no one should ever read a letter of their **** again…seriously ignorant.

Agree.

I'm trying to cutdown on clicking on such articles, just gives some idiot more money for posting rubbish. I don't know what algorithms Google uses, but I have a suggestion for them. Anytime a reader opens an article, Google should give them an option to rate it on a scale of 0-10. The ratings dictate where that author's articles start appearing. Lots of accumulated low ratings.....Google puts them to the back of the line.

 

[OldSchool101]

Agree.

I'm trying to cutdown on clicking on such articles, just gives some idiot more money for posting rubbish. I don't know what algorithms Google uses, but I have a suggestion for them. Anytime a reader opens an article, Google should give them an option to rate it on a scale of 0-10. The ratings dictate where that author's articles start appearing. Lots of accumulated low ratings.....Google puts them to the back of the line.

Oh yeah, there’s several click bait specialists in the media this year. Every Day it’s a brand new Trade for Miles Garrett or similar. It’s just annoying level stuff. I don’t come back ever once they lose credibility.

 

[OldSchool101]

With this current Offense being moderately healthy. A return of Watson and featuring Matthew Golden. I’d be surprised if we don’t elevate over 2024 level.

If our D even stays = to 2024 we’re going to be a problem for Playoff caliber opponents. If our D elevates even the slightest smidge. Call it Top 4-6 scoring and 17.5-18.5 points allowed per game? We’re going to absolutely punish teams this season.

If We’re looking at a 28+ points per game Offense and <18 Points per game Defense. Do the math.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Oh yeah, there’s several click bait specialists in the media this year. Every Day it’s a brand new Trade for Miles Garrett or similar. It’s just annoying level stuff. I don’t come back ever once they lose credibility.

My problem is, I don't keep track of the idiots writing this garbage. Sometimes I recognize their name, but usually not until I have clicked on their rubbish.

I'm going to modify my previous post with something I thought of after posting it. How about an App that you run with your google searches. The app allows you, the user, to rate articles/authors and keeps that information stored in your app. This app would either share info. with Google or just be your own private way to censor out the BS.

Your example of Miles Garrett or the name "Trey Hendrickson" is a good one. I am guessing if you typed their name and any of 31 teams names, you will get a ton of articles on them being traded to that team.

 

[OldSchool101]

The Eagles lost multiple players in FA. They are relying on a Rookie draft class to overcome those players. Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Makuba and Ty Robinson are all very good players to draft. In no way are they offsetting the losses
better than losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Bryce Huff, Milton Williams and Josh Sweat? . That does not make their Defense better.

Now they face regressing slightly on Defense. That’s not a good recipe for facing teams that added to their Offenses like The Bears or GB. I think opponents have largely missed what GB just did to its Offenses when you plop in Morgan, Belton, Savion and Golden into a O mix that is growing up and filling out their clothes a little more. Plus likely an upgrade at Center and better RB, WR, TE depth by default of drafting more weapons and returning Musgrave etc. I just think this Offense is poised to make a noticeable improvement. Now I wouldn’t jump off a cliff after game 1. Wait until about game 6-8 to do that! (Seems to be when we open our season up).

If our O starts popping earlier as inside Week 2-4? I think GB will be very challenging by mid season form.

As far as Golden. He thinks he’s a veteran because he already plays like one. You can’t really fault a Rookie for being confident and going out and continually burning out #1 DB’s. It’s just what it is. I’ve always said Golden reminds me of the Offensive version of young Jaire. They even dress the same! I don’t mind Swagger if it carries onto the football field. Probably need a little more swagger

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Eagles lost multiple players in FA. They are relying on a Rookie draft class to overcome those players. Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Makuba and Ty Robinson are all very good players to draft. In no way are they offsetting the losses
better than losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Bryce Huff, Milton Williams and Josh Sweat? . That does not make their Defense better.

Now they face regressing slightly on Defense. That’s not a good recipe for facing teams that added to their Offenses like The Bears or GB. I think opponents have largely missed what GB just did to its Offenses when you plop in Morgan, Belton, Savion and Golden into a O mix that is growing up and filling out their clothes a little more. Plus likely an upgrade at Center and better RB, WR, TE depth by default of drafting more weapons and returning Musgrave etc. I just think this Offense is poised to make a noticeable improvement. Now I wouldn’t jump off a cliff after game 1. Wait until about game 6-8 to do that! (Seems to be when we open our season up).

If our O starts popping earlier as inside Week 2-4? I think GB will be very challenging by mid season form.

As far as Golden. He thinks he’s a veteran because he already plays like one. You can’t really fault a Rookie for being confident and going out and continually burning out #1 DB’s. It’s just what it is. I’ve always said Golden reminds me of the Offensive version of young Jaire. They even dress the same! lol

Not only is Philly the defending champion, they rightly lead all preseason power rankings (well, for what those are worth). Philly has a good chance to repeat. And they still have a LOT of impact players on O and D.

As far as FA losses, every team has them and then they have additions and we don't know much until they start playing.

Each year there are surprises as well. In the NFL I think it will be the Bucs, in the AFC the Chargers.

 

[OldSchool101]

Not only is Philly the defending champion, they rightly lead all preseason power rankings (well, for what those are worth). Philly has a good chance to repeat.

Oh I don’t doubt popular opinion at all First of all I’m a betting man. I’ll pay anyone 2:1 ratio on a my bet that Philly does not Win the SB this year.

They are about to find out what 60+ Superbowl teams found out the following year.

 

[Voyageur]

It seems like the entire premise of drafting this year was based on the fact that the Lions offense was roughly a TD per game better than the Packers in scoring. They were ranked #1 on offense and we were #8. To augment that belief, one need only look at the defensive rankings of both teams. The Packers were #6 and the Lions #7. It appears obvious that we needed to get more firepower on the field to make us more competitive to have a shot at winning the whole thing.

I think a couple of things are obvious about this being as accurate as the stats indicate. First of all, our offense was giving up at least 3 points a game and sometimes more, early last season because we did not have an adequate kicking game. In addition to the missed kicks, there were changes to the offense when they felt compelled to go for more on 3rd down and gamble on 4th down because they weren't confident in getting points on the board by kicking. So, across the board, I'm ranking it as a 3 points per game loss in scoring because of that facet of the game being horrible. The Lions were ranked #2 on special teams and the Packers #14.

Obviously, they considered that, or they wouldn't have considered offering Hardman a contract. He was the patch to fix this problem.

As for our punt return teams, we were ranked #21 and the Lions at #3. Once again, is this a patch from Hardman? Reality is, Hardman wasn't brought in as a receiver. They're looking for people who can handle the ball in the return game because we had squat last year. Our kick return team was rated at #14 and the Lions #2. We're losing the battle considerably on all returns and I'd suggest should have been a high priority. The jury is out. I don't think Hardman is the total patch then count him as being a receiver in competition to make the squad as such.

Our punting team was ranked #22 while the Lions were #1. We gave away 5 yards in every exchange of punts. In a game where you each punt 6 times, we've been giving away 30 yards of field position and that can contribute heavily to the 6 points per game we fall behind in total scoring. Figure that's good for one field goal a game.

We shored up the offense considerably, or did we? Did we shore it up enough to make up for the fact that beyond our offense being pretty decent from the start, our defense doesn't really measure up as well as we think they should. Even the thought that we could move up several spots on the list is kind of a misconception because we still haven't seen those upgrades in all the areas that contribute to the scoring differential in all aspects of offense and defense.

If the Packers actually look better than the Lions do this year, I don't think it's because we've progressed that much but that they are falling some due to injuries and losses in free agency. We need to be concerned about a lot of facets of special teams and those which can have an effect on scoring both ways. Spend some time going through these numbers and I think you'll see what I mean. Adding 3 points on the offense and potentially losing some ground on defense doesn't mean you're catching up with anyone it just means you're hanging on to what you've got.

2025 NFL Offense Total Team Stat Leaders - ESPN

ESPN is the place for NFL stats! Find a list of the Offense Total team stat leaders for the 2025 NFL Regular Season.

www.espn.com

 

[OldSchool101]

It seems like the entire premise of drafting this year was based on the fact that the Lions offense was roughly a TD per game better than the Packers in scoring. They were ranked #1 on offense and we were #8. To augment that belief, one need only look at the defensive rankings of both teams. The Packers were #6 and the Lions #7. It appears obvious that we needed to get more firepower on the field to make us more competitive to have a shot at winning the whole thing.

I think a couple of things are obvious about this being as accurate as the stats indicate. First of all, our offense was giving up at least 3 points a game and sometimes more, early last season because we did not have an adequate kicking game. In addition to the missed kicks, there were changes to the offense when they felt compelled to go for more on 3rd down and gamble on 4th down because they weren't confident in getting points on the board by kicking. So, across the board, I'm ranking it as a 3 points per game loss in scoring because of that facet of the game being horrible. The Lions were ranked #2 on special teams and the Packers #14.

Obviously, they considered that, or they wouldn't have considered offering Hardman a contract. He was the patch to fix this problem.

As for our punt return teams, we were ranked #21 and the Lions at #3. Once again, is this a patch from Hardman? Reality is, Hardman wasn't brought in as a receiver. They're looking for people who can handle the ball in the return game because we had squat last year. Our kick return team was rated at #14 and the Lions #2. We're losing the battle considerably on all returns and I'd suggest should have been a high priority. The jury is out. I don't think Hardman is the total patch then count him as being a receiver in competition to make the squad as such.

Our punting team was ranked #22 while the Lions were #1. We gave away 5 yards in every exchange of punts. In a game where you each punt 6 times, we've been giving away 30 yards of field position and that can contribute heavily to the 6 points per game we fall behind in total scoring. Figure that's good for one field goal a game.

We shored up the offense considerably, or did we? Did we shore it up enough to make up for the fact that beyond our offense being pretty decent from the start, our defense doesn't really measure up as well as we think they should. Even the thought that we could move up several spots on the list is kind of a misconception because we still haven't seen those upgrades in all the areas that contribute to the scoring differential in all aspects of offense and defense.

If the Packers actually look better than the Lions do this year, I don't think it's because we've progressed that much but that they are falling some due to injuries and losses in free agency. We need to be concerned about a lot of facets of special teams and those which can have an effect on scoring both ways. Spend some time going through these numbers and I think you'll see what I mean. Adding 3 points on the offense and potentially losing some ground on defense doesn't mean you're catching up with anyone it just means you're hanging on to what you've got.

2025 NFL Offense Total Team Stat Leaders - ESPN

ESPN is the place for NFL stats! Find a list of the Offense Total team stat leaders for the 2025 NFL Regular Season.

www.espn.com

If be super concerned if I was SF49ers. They posted lots if yards but don’t finish strong in points. Strange.

I agree 100% that teams are either regressing or impressing. I coined that one!

From gains and losses in coaching and O+D+Teams = continuity changes. Continuity disruption is not a positive if you are successful team.
*Switching OC+DC is a pretty big deal
*switching to a 1st year QB is volatile
*switching an entire Coaching staff is massive in year 1.
*losing multiple Probowl or All-Pro level players is a heavy factor.

The Packers have none of that. GB stands alone on their island of + continuity in the North and that = proven performance, NOT “on paper”. We are the antithesis of “on paper”. 90%+ of our Roster and coaching is INTACT from 2024. You almost can’t dream up a more proven on field producer and at successful levels.
No other NFC team can say that. Continuity is the basis for a “high” level basement floor. Any team hinging their season in a 1st year starter is extremely risky and I’d say that after MN repeated 14-3.


Great points in the Kicking game. Our Punter is on fire also. Averaging 51+ on 9 Punts. Another reason why taking a solid chance on a High echelon PR makes for an intriguing Teams upgrade. Between Nixon and Hardman we could easily pick up 5 yards per drive.

 

[Voyageur]

If be super concerned if I was SF49ers. They posted lots if yards but don’t finish strong in points. Strange.

I agree 100% that teams are either regressing or impressing. I coined that one!

From gains and losses in coaching and O+D+Teams = continuity changes. Continuity disruption is not a positive if you are successful team.
*Switching OC+DC is a pretty big deal
*switching to a 1st year QB is volatile
*switching an entire Coaching staff is massive in year 1.
*losing multiple Probowl or All-Pro level players is a heavy factor.

The Packers have none of that. GB stands alone on their island of + continuity in the North and that = proven performance, NOT “on paper”. We are the antithesis of “on paper”. 90%+ of our Roster and coaching is INTACT from 2024. You almost can’t dream up a more proven on field producer and at successful levels.
No other NFC team can say that. Continuity is the basis for a “high” level basement floor.


Great points in the Kicking game. Our Punter is on fire also. Averaging 51+ on 9 Punts. Another reason why taking a solid chance on a High echelon PR makes for an intriguing Teams upgrade. Between Nixon and Hardman we could easily pick up 5 yards per drive.

Changing entire coaching staffs can cut both ways. It all depends on what systems the new regime will use on offense and defense. As often as not, a new coaching staff will step in and have some pretty good players who have been misused by the previous staff. What these players can add to the team can be enormous. Of course that cuts the other way too. Guys who have played great under the old system are like fish out of water in a new system. That's kind of where the Bears stand this year, but Johnson understood this going in and made sure that his philosophy and that of his staff will harness the quality players they have that have been misused.

That's what we saw in some respects with the new DC in Green Bay last year. They knew they had some solid players for the transition and now we're going to see the results of them being coached up into the new system.

That's what makes the NFL so intriguing. People believe it's a physical game and to a degree it is, but playing smart and coaching smart makes a huge difference when it comes to results.

 

[OldSchool101]

Changing entire coaching staffs can cut both ways. It all depends on what systems the new regime will use on offense and defense. As often as not, a new coaching staff will step in and have some pretty good players who have been misused by the previous staff. What these players can add to the team can be enormous. Of course that cuts the other way too. Guys who have played great under the old system are like fish out of water in a new system. That's kind of where the Bears stand this year, but Johnson understood this going in and made sure that his philosophy and that of his staff will harness the quality players they have that have been misused.

That's what we saw in some respects with the new DC in Green Bay last year. They knew they had some solid players for the transition and now we're going to see the results of them being coached up into the new system.

That's what makes the NFL so intriguing. People believe it's a physical game and to a degree it is, but playing smart and coaching smart makes a huge difference when it comes to results.

Coaching (managing or directing groups of people is similar) is like electrical. Don’t mess with it if it’s working.

As an example it’s extremely unlikely that the replacements of Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn produce their level of competency.

The Chicago wiring on the other had a “burning wires” smell and flickering purple fluorescent lights that sound like electrical intermittently contacting water in the ceiling. like an old HoreHouse. Don’t ask me how I know!
Oops. It’s the first example came to mind. So sorry! Lol

 

[Thirteen Below]

That's what makes the NFL so intriguing. People believe it's a physical game and to a degree it is, but playing smart and coaching smart makes a huge difference when it comes to results.

At this level, everyone is tough and physical. But not everyone is smart.

When everyone on both sides is tough and physical, but not everyone is smart and well-coached, the ones who are smart and well-coached have the advantage.

And let's keep in mind, Green Bay made a solid commitment this off-season to make both lines tougher and more physical - Belton and Banks are maulers, and Stackhouse and Brinson are pretty big boys on the other side of the ball. We're not giving up as much in mass at the line of scrimmage as we have in the past, and if these guys turn out to be smart players - and well-coached - we could have more of an advantage in 25. In Hafley I trust.

 

[Heyjoe4]

At this level, everyone is tough and physical. But not everyone is smart.

When everyone on both sides is tough and physical, but not everyone is smart and well-coached, the ones who are smart and well-coached have the advantage.

And let's keep in mind, Green Bay made a solid commitment this off-season to make both lines tougher and more physical - Belton and Banks are maulers, and Stackhouse and Brinson are pretty big boys on the other side of the ball. We're not giving up as much in mass at the line of scrimmage as we have in the past, and if these guys turn out to be smart players - and well-coached - we could have more of an advantage in 25. In Hafley I trust.

Hey 13, very good points about changes to the OL and DL. That is where the game is fought, after all. The guys you mentioned are massive and they are maulers. As long as they stay away from penalties, these respective groups will be much deeper and better than the 2024 team.

Just look at what Philly did to win the last SB. On almost every down, they rushed only four DLs and they still gave the Chiefs fits. I don't recall a single blitz, although I'm sure there were a few. Philly put on a master class on defense.

A strong front also makes the job of the secondary easier. That was the most dominant DL I've seen since the 85 Bears. Defense wins championships.

And again, the new Packers you mention are truly big guys, massive. And with an attitude. Good for Gluten for finding them.

 

[Voyageur]

Hey 13, very good points about changes to the OL and DL. That is where the game is fought, after all. The guys you mentioned are massive and they are maulers. As long as they stay away from penalties, these respective groups will be much deeper and better than the 2024 team.

Just look at what Philly did to win the last SB. On almost every down, they rushed only four DLs and they still gave the Chiefs fits. I don't recall a single blitz, although I'm sure there were a few. Philly put on a master class on defense.

A strong front also makes the job of the secondary easier. That was the most dominant DL I've seen since the 85 Bears. Defense wins championships.

And again, the new Packers you mention are truly big guys, massive. And with an attitude. Good for Gluten for finding them.

The Eagles used a large number of defensive linemen. They kept fresh bodies on the field on every down. Their objective was that they'd wear the offensive line down and eventually take total control of the line of scrimmage. To do this you'd better have a solid defensive backfield, and your linebackers need to be smart in coverage against the short passing routes and containment on the outside.

This is why I felt from the start that the Packers needed to add strength to their defense. You need more bodies who can apply pressure and I'm afraid our depth is rather suspect throughout the entire defense but especially in the front four.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Eagles used a large number of defensive linemen. They kept fresh bodies on the field on every down. Their objective was that they'd wear the offensive line down and eventually take total control of the line of scrimmage. To do this you'd better have a solid defensive backfield, and your linebackers need to be smart in coverage against the short passing routes and containment on the outside.

This is why I felt from the start that the Packers needed to add strength to their defense. You need more bodies who can apply pressure and I'm afraid our depth is rather suspect throughout the entire defense but especially in the front four.

Yeah Gluten mentioned during the offseason he was mostly happy with the D, but I think that had more to do with a lack of talent in FA, and the need to add to the offense early in the draft.

And you're right, Philly kept relatively fresh legs on the DL thanks to depth. IMO the Packers are still a year away from having a SB-worthy D, and depth is a problem as well as the starters inability to put constant pressure on the QB.

The offense looks solid and that may be enough for a deep playoff run. The D is very good but it lacks depth and impact players. There is a lot riding on improved play from LVN, Walker, Wyatt, Nixon and a few others. The schedule isn't very friendly either.

 

[gopkrs]

The Eagles used a large number of defensive linemen. They kept fresh bodies on the field on every down. Their objective was that they'd wear the offensive line down and eventually take total control of the line of scrimmage. To do this you'd better have a solid defensive backfield, and your linebackers need to be smart in coverage against the short passing routes and containment on the outside.

This is why I felt from the start that the Packers needed to add strength to their defense. You need more bodies who can apply pressure and I'm afraid our depth is rather suspect throughout the entire defense but especially in the front four.

I guess that's true. I don't know that much about Philly. But I love how we have tried to get a really strong O line and am hopeful that is going to show real improvement in the run game. I was pretty happy how our D turned it around last year and did well against the run game. It should be a fun season and we should be very good. Go Pack Go!

 

[Heyjoe4]

I guess that's true. I don't know that much about Philly. But I love how we have tried to get a really strong O line and am hopeful that is going to show real improvement in the run game. I was pretty happy how our D turned it around last year and did well against the run game. It should be a fun season and we should be very good. Go Pack Go!

Good assessment. The offense is improved in quality (impact players) and quantity (depth). There weren't many changers to the D, and there are some weak/questionable spots. But as you point out, the D overall was playing much better in the last half of the season.