The Green Bay Packers picked up Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, he quickly made himself known to Green Bay fans when he asked to change his jersey number from No. 81 to No. 22. While fans didn’t immediately love this decision, Golden’s heartfelt reasoning has caused Packer fans to warm up to him.
The team initially gave Golden the No. 81 jersey, but he asked to switch to No. 22, which is an unusual choice for a wide receiver. In recent years, defensive backs and running backs typically wore the No. 22 jersey. Golden met with reporters during the Packers’ rookie minicamp and explained why it meant so much to him.
Matthew Golden Explains His Decision To Wear No. 22 With the Green Bay Packers
Packers first-round pick, and expected immediate-impact player, Matthew Golden reveals the reason behind his choice to wear No. 22 in Green Bay. Learn the story behind the jersey number.
Matthew Golden explains how his grandma, his “best friend,” influenced him to wear No. 22. He said he didn’t ask Malik Willis for No. 2 (despite his No. 2 chain) because it’s just a jersey number. pic.twitter.com/6zvTrZCfae
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 2, 2025
“My grandma, her favorite number was two growing up, and she told me she wanted me to represent that number,” Golden, who wore No. 2 at Texas, said during the Packers’ rookie minicamp on Friday. “And so I knew the last receiver that was drafted (in the first round) was 2002, so I feel like it kind of made sense to me.”
While No. 22 isn’t the same as No. 2, backup quarterback Malik Willis currently dons No. 2. Golden wore No. 2 during his time in Texas. Golden told the media that he didn’t even try to ask Willis to give him No. 2.
“For me, it’s just a jersey number,” Golden said. “I could wear 85 if I wanted to. I’m still going to go out there and get open.”
Golden has been nothing short of impressive since arriving in Green Bay. It’s very easy to see why the Packers loved his attitude and work ethic. He is truly the perfect fit in the locker room. It’s also not the first time he highlighted his relationship with his grandmother.
In an interview with FOX News, he revealed he intends to use his signing bonus to help buy his grandma’s house back, after she lost the property. That’s the exact type of person you want on your team.
Golden’s reason for wanting the No. 22 makes it even more special. It’s unusual for a wide receiver to wear that number, especially in Green Bay, but any negativity from the fans over the decision quickly disappears after hearing the rookie wide receiver’s explanation as to why.
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Packers fans loved Golden from the second the team picked him up in the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent the past week giving them even more reasons to want to root for him. Packers fans can’t wait to see his first touchdown while wearing the No. 22 jersey.
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