In a rare and unprecedented move that has both fans and league executives talking, the Green Bay Packers have officially signed their first-round draft pick, wide receiver Matthew Golden, to a four-year, $17.5 million contract — but it’s what happened after the signing that has stunned the NFL world.
Shortly after finalizing his rookie deal, the Packers announced that Golden — just 21 years old — had also been elected to the team’s board of directors, a decision that sent shockwaves through the league.
The Green Bay Packers, famously the only publicly-owned team in professional sports, are governed by a board of directors made up of community leaders, team executives, and business professionals. The addition of an active rookie player to that list is something entirely new.
“This is historic,” said a team spokesman. “Matthew Golden represents the next generation — not just on the field, but off of it. His leadership, poise, and intelligence made this a unanimous vote.”
While players have historically had informal influence, no active player has ever held an official seat on the Packers’ board, much less in their first year. Golden’s appointment is said to be symbolic, yet comes with voting privileges and a voice in community initiatives and organizational decisions.
“I’m honored and honestly humbled,” Golden said during his press conference. “I came here to help the team win. That includes Sundays — and everything in between.”
Reactions across the league have ranged from praise to bewilderment. Some question the optics of a rookie gaining organizational power before taking a single NFL snap. Others applaud the progressive move and see it as a sign of the Packers doubling down on their unique structure and culture.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur responded diplomatically:
“We drafted Matthew because he’s special — as a player, as a person, and now, clearly, as a leader.”
As for Golden, he’s keeping his focus on the field:
