About 205,000 Green Bay Packers fans waited on the Lambeau Field campus on April 24 to see if the murmurs were truly real. If the two-decade-long ‘myth’ was finally breaking. If one of the projected first-round receivers in Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, and Texas’ Matthew Golden, that they had hosted could land in Wisconsin. And as the retiring President/CEO Mark Murphy went out of his way to the podium and announced the name of their Golden (pun intended) pick, the crowd roared, who had almost forgotten such an option even existed. The ‘folklore’ had been busted. Giving a response to the same, GM Brian Gutekunst even quipped a quick joke, “Well, I really sent in a different name, but Mark (Murphy) just announced what he announced.”

The Green Bay Packers had selected Matthew Golden as the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 23 years after they had picked Florida State’s Javon Walker as 20th overall pick in 2002 at that position. But interestingly, as many believe, the Packers never really had a problem drafting receivers in the first round. And they had tried before. Gutekunst reportedly attempted to trade up for Justin Jefferson in 2020 and then Brandon Aiyuk. Instead, the Packers landed QB Jordan Love. They tried again just two years down the line, targeting Christian Watson, per Chadd Graff of The Athletic. While they couldn’t move up much, they landed No. 34, just two slots after round one. It all comes down to the circumstances during the draft.

So, while many believe it’s just the team’s outdated philosophy of being ‘set in their ways’, it isn’t entirely true. But there is one former QB that many believe the Packers let down by not trying hard enough. Of course, we’re talking about Aaron Rodgers. And as he sat down for a meet-and-greet with the fans in Austin, he reflected his thoughts on the team finally breaking its ‘tradition’.

Earlier this week, one audience member asked, “How do you feel about the Packers drafting a wide receiver in the first round?” For Aaron Rodgers, 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. 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.

“But people maybe forget how many great second-round receivers…we had, which I can name. 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 former 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. Still, the 2022 shock was surprising considering the Packers had just extended the QB’s contract through 2026 on March 15th and then two days later, made a trade on star receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Instead, they went for Georgia linebacker Quay Walker at No. 22 and Devonte Wyatt at No. 28 with their only two picks in the first round.

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. Right after the pick, the 5-foot-11, 194-pound star, who even sported a giant ‘G’ necklace on Draft night, gave a shout out, “Green Bay, it’s time.” In Lambeau, it was time for a turnaround. 

With a deep receiving corps in Green Bay, folks speculated 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.