Green Bay Packers Lose Romeo Doubs: Can Matthew Golden Step Up as the Team’s No. 3 Receiver?

The Green Bay Packers are entering the 2026 NFL season with a major change in their receiving corps. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs has officially left the team in free agency, signing a lucrative four-year, $68 million deal with the New England Patriots.

Doubs’ departure creates a significant opportunity within the Packers’ offense. With one of the team’s most reliable pass-catchers now gone, the spotlight immediately turns to second-year wide receiver Matthew Golden.

Green Bay drafted Golden with the 23rd overall pick in the previous NFL Draft, hoping he would develop into a dynamic playmaker. Now, with Doubs no longer on the roster, the young receiver may finally get the chance to prove he can become a key weapon in the Packers’ passing attack.

Matthew Golden’s Rookie Season Was Disappointing

Expectations were high for Matthew Golden entering his rookie season. As a first-round draft pick and a standout from University of Texas, many analysts believed he could make an immediate impact in the NFL.

However, his first year in the league was far from spectacular.

During the regular season, Golden recorded 29 receptions for 361 receiving yards and zero touchdowns. For a first-round wide receiver, those numbers fell well below expectations.

Part of the issue was health. Golden battled multiple injuries throughout the season, which disrupted his rhythm and limited his development.

One of the biggest setbacks came in Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers when he suffered a shoulder injury. Prior to that game, Golden had been gaining momentum in the Packers’ offense.

In fact, he recorded at least four receptions in four of the five games leading up to that injury, accumulating 233 receiving yards during that stretch.

Unfortunately, after the shoulder injury, he struggled to maintain that level of production.

A Positive Moment in the Playoffs

Despite a frustrating regular season, Golden did end the year with a memorable moment.

In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the young receiver finally scored his first NFL touchdown. The play served as a reminder of the potential that convinced Green Bay to draft him in the first place.

For the Packers’ coaching staff, that moment offered hope that Golden could develop into a much more impactful player in his second season.

Entering 2026, the team will likely expect significantly more production from the former Texas star.

Opportunity Opens Up After Romeo Doubs’ Departure

With Romeo Doubs now playing in New England, the Packers’ receiving depth chart suddenly looks very different.

Currently, the only receivers clearly ahead of Matthew Golden are Christian Watson and Jayden Reed.

Watson and Reed have established themselves as two of quarterback Jordan Love’s most trusted targets. However, the departure of Doubs leaves a clear opening for a WR3 role in the offense.

Golden is widely viewed as the most logical candidate to fill that spot.

Both Golden and Watson possess the speed to stretch defenses vertically, giving the Packers two legitimate deep-threat options in the passing game.

If Golden can take a step forward in his development, he could quickly become an important piece of Green Bay’s offensive strategy.

Competition for Targets Still Exists

Even with Doubs gone, Golden will not automatically receive a massive share of targets.

The Packers still have several offensive weapons capable of demanding touches.

Tight end Tucker Kraft, for example, emerged as one of the team’s most productive pass-catchers before suffering a serious injury last season. Before tearing his ACL, Kraft was arguably Green Bay’s most consistent offensive weapon in the passing game.

He played only eight games in the 2025 season, but if healthy, he could once again become a major focal point of the offense.

Additionally, the Packers recently added Skyy Moore, who previously contributed as a kick returner and occasional receiver for the San Francisco 49ers.

While Moore’s addition improves depth, it does not significantly alter the expectation that Matthew Golden should become a bigger part of the offense.

Injuries Shaped the Packers’ Passing Attack Last Year

Another factor that complicates target distribution is the injury history within Green Bay’s receiving group.

Christian Watson did not make his season debut until Week 8 last year, while Jayden Reed missed seven games after breaking his collarbone in Week 2.

Those injuries forced the Packers to constantly adjust their offensive game plan and shuffle players in and out of the lineup.

Because of that instability, it was difficult for younger players like Golden to establish a consistent role.

If the team can remain healthier in 2026, the offensive structure should become far more stable.

Matt LaFleur Needs to Commit to Golden

Head coach Matt LaFleur played a cautious role in Golden’s rookie season.

At times, the coaching staff appeared unsure about how heavily to involve the rookie receiver in the offense. As injuries mounted and the season progressed, Golden’s role became increasingly limited.

In several late-season games, he was barely involved in the offensive game plan.

That situation is unlikely to repeat in 2026.

With Doubs gone, LaFleur no longer has the luxury of keeping Golden on the sidelines. The offense will need a reliable third receiver, and Golden is currently the most promising candidate to fill that role.

Could Another Receiver Emerge?

Of course, the Packers still have other players competing for opportunities.

Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks remains part of the roster and could attempt to claim the WR3 position as well.

However, most analysts believe Golden’s first-round pedigree and athletic upside make him the favorite to earn that role.

Unless the Packers make a surprising move to acquire another star receiver during the offseason, Golden will likely receive every opportunity to prove himself.

2026 Could Be Matthew Golden’s Breakout Season

The pressure on Matthew Golden entering his second season will be significant.

First-round picks are expected to develop quickly, and the Packers need him to deliver more consistent production in 2026.

The tools are certainly there. Golden has the speed, route-running ability, and athleticism required to become a dangerous weapon in the NFL.

What the Packers need now is for that potential to translate into real results on the field.

With Romeo Doubs gone and a major role available in the offense, the upcoming season may ultimately determine whether Matthew Golden becomes a key part of Green Bay’s future — or simply another talented prospect who struggled to meet expectations.