Christian Watson and Matthew Golden Could Be the Green Bay Packers’ One-Two Punch

The expectation this offseason has always been that Christian Watson takes the next step and evolves into something closer to superstar status than not.

That's why the Green Bay Packers gave Watson a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension in early June. They believe he can be a WR1, and Watson is proving that belief right so far in the early days of training camp.

That is the caveat to that statement, of course. It is only the early days of training camp.

Still, it's noteworthy that the 6-foot-4, 215 pound speedster is finally fully healthy, and he's starting to look the part for Green Bay.

Mike Spofford of the team website relayed that Watson scored two touchdowns in the span of just a few snaps in the 11-on-11 team period on Friday.

Second-year receiver Matthew Golden is also starting to look like he has the chance to live up to his potential as the only first round wide receiver not named Javon Walker the Packers have selected since 1988 (which is when Green Bay selected Sterling Sharpe No. 7 overall).

Golden made some nice plays in camp on Friday, but more than anything, he's using one of the skills that made him a first-round pick to differentiate himself from Watson and the newly extended Jayden Reed.

Coming out of Texas, Golden was lauded as a speedy wideout who ran great routes. So far in camp, he's getting open more often than not.

"There's only one football to go around, so I think that he's done a great job of just embracing the fact that he can win a rep even without getting the ball on that play," Watson told Spofford.

That's something head coach Matt LaFleur has also noticed.

"I think that says a lot about you as a player. What do you do when you don't have the football? Early indications are promising," LaFleur said of Golden.

Considering the investment the Packers made this offseason in Watson and Reed, it would be safe to assume that it would be Reed, the former second-round pick out of Michigan State, who becomes the Packers' de facto WR2 behind Watson in 2026.

Reed is one of the most dynamic slot receivers in the league when he's healthy, and the Packers clearly believe in him. Considering his veteran status on this team, plus the money, it would not be surprising if Reed checks in as the second-best receiver on this team, stat-wise, when all is said and done.

Early indications in camp suggest that Golden should not be counted out, though. He had an underwhelming rookie season, sure, but he's making plays and catching every football that is thrown his way.

A WR1-WR2 combo of Watson and Golden would be one of the most explosive downfield attacks in the NFL if it played out that way, and having Reed slide in, literally, in the slot as the WR3 would give Love plenty of legitimate options at wideout. That's not even to mention Tucker Kraft, who was trending to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL before he tore his ACL last season.

It's an enticing idea. An exciting idea if you're a fan of explosive offensive football.

Much of it hinges on Golden, though. If he can be the true counterpunch to a defense's desire to focus on trying to stop Watson...this offense could be very hard to stop in 2026.

"I'm excited to see how we continue to grow through this training camp and hit the ground running in Week 1," Watson said of the receiver group.