The Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams reason Packers’ Randall Cobb isn’t worried about Matthew Golden’s rookie season

Matthew Golden’s rookie season was a frustrating one for the Green Bay Packers. Golden was drafted 20th overall by Green Bay, breaking their age-old tradition of not picking a wide receiver with their first-round pick. Many expected Golden to immediately step into the WR1 role for Green Bay and finally bring stability to the wide receiver room.

However, Golden never truly broke out as the top option for Green Bay. The Packers wide receiver was targeted 44 times during the season, finishing with 29 catches for 361 yards and failing to find the endzone. It’s a supremely disappointing season for Golden that has left fans doubting whether they made the right pick.

Amidst these discussions, a former Packers legend urged fans to treat Golden with a little patience. Former Green Bay legend Randall Cobb talked about the incoming sophomore and his struggles in his rookie year. Cobb said that fans should be a little more patient, especially since other legendary Packers wide receivers like Davante Adams and Jordy Nelson struggled in their first year in the league, per Ellie French.

Former #Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb provides some perspective on Matthew Golden's limited targets last season during his rookie year, saying he, Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams experienced the same their rookie seasons pic.twitter.com/AOcYinjjiM

— Ellie French (@elliefrenchTV) April 14, 2026

For comparison, Adams was targeted 66 times in his rookie year and finished with just 446 yards and three touchdowns. Going further back into Packers history, Nelson was targeted 54 times for 366 yards and two touchdowns in 2008, while Cobb had 31 targets for 375 yards and one touchdown in 2011. Those are numbers that are just around Golden’s stats last season, minus the touchdowns.

Golden started off strong for the Packers in his rookie year, but even in his best months, his big-play ability was not evident. He was mostly targeted in the flats and did not make much of his opportunities there. Even with Jayden Reed and Christian Watson out for most of the regular season, Golden was unable to capitalize on his opportunities.

If there’s a silver lining to Golden’s rookie year, though, it’s that he performed well in the playoffs. In their Wild Card loss, Golden caught four passes for 84 yards, including a touchdown. With Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs’ departures, perhaps 2026 is the year Golden puts it all together.

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