The Green Bay Packers gave their fans what they wanted.
On Thursday night, with the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, the franchise finally selected a skill position player with a first-round pick. The massive crowd assembled around the draft stage exploded when Packers president Mark Murphy announced the team would select Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden.
The #Packers finally take a receiver and do it in Green Bay. What a scene. pic.twitter.com/rotQ3SrFcf
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 25, 2025
Golden was basking in the adulation and even went to the mic to get the crowd fired up.
GREEN BAY ON 3 🧀 @MatthewGolden_
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/w2Cn2gAJgm
What a scene in Green Bay. And now that he's been drafted, Golden can fulfill a huge family promise with his first pro contract.
The last time the Packers selected a wide receiver in the first round of the draft was in 2002 when they picked Florida State wideout Javon Walker. He turned into a Pro Bowler, so Golden has a lot to live up to. In the time since Walker was selected, the Packers have leaned heavily on defense in the draft, taking 17 defensive players in that time against five on the offensive side of the ball.
It's a new day in Titletown.
More NFL Draft on Sports Illustrated
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Hometown Packers Fans Celebrated Monumental Matthew Golden Draft Pick En Masse.
