“You can’t teach 4.2 speed.” That’s how Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love summed up the blazing burst of rookie wideout Golden — and it’s a statement that’s reverberated through the locker room. From his early days at Klein Cain High School to a record-setting 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the 2025 Combine, Golden’s trajectory has been all about elite quickness. Now, Love’s public endorsement has only amplified the buzz surrounding Green Bay’s first first-round receiver since 2002.
Behind the scenes at rookie minicamp, Matthew Golden has already lived up to those expectations. “I’m ready. I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life”, he told reporters as soon as he hit the field, adding, “I’m gonna let my presence be known and compete every snap”. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has echoed that sentiment, praising Golden’s sure hands and route-running polish, and pointing to his 58 catches for 987 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas last season as evidence he can contribute immediately.
By the time Underdog NFL in X shared Jordan Love’s reaction — “The speed speaks for itself… I’m excited to see how fast he is on the field” — the league had taken notice. Love’s comment arrived days after Green Bay cleared room for its new draft class, and it underscored the Packers’ belief that Golden’s game-changing burst can open up the offense. That endorsement carries extra weight given how quickly Matthew Golden flipped the narrative on doubters.
Even before camp, Golden reportedly flew to California to join Love’s private workouts — a quiet move that already showed his commitment. He cited Davante Adams and Justin Jefferson as models for how to win against the press. At the Combine, analysts questioned whether he’d truly match his timed speed on the grass. But during Texas’ Pro Day, he racked up tape-highlight electric grabs in clutch moments, and insiders like Matt LaFleur have already marveled at his ability to stretch the field.
As Golden himself put it on May 2, “Looking forward to what’s in front of me”, he said, eyes gleaming at the prospect of helping this team soar. Still, while Golden’s rise has electrified the Packers’ camp, it came at the cost of another young talent quietly shown the door.
Jordan Love’s backing of Golden spells the end for Tulu Griffin?
Tulu Griffin’s journey to Green Bay was a testament to perseverance. An undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State in 2024, Griffin turned heads as a dynamic kick returner (30.8-yard average, two TDs) and a reliable slot receiver, totaling 50 catches for 658 yards and four TDs in his senior year. In January 2025, the Packers inked him to a reserve/future contract, hoping he’d carve out a role in a crowded WR room.
Yet, when the dust settled on Draft Weekend, Green Bay added Matthew Golden (Round 1) and Savion Williams (Round 3), leaving little runway for Griffin. On May 5, 2025, GM Brian Gutekunst announced, “The Packers have released WR Tulu Griffin”, a move that opened roster space for the incoming rookies. Rob Demovsky of ESPN relayed that Griffin’s spot “became redundant” once the Packers doubled down on elite speed and size in April’s draft.
Griffin, who had bounced briefly with the Raiders and Browns before landing in Green Bay, never saw regular-season action — a stark reminder of how razor-thin margins are at this level. There’s a lesson in Griffin’s cut: in today’s NFL, measurables like a sub-4.3 40-yard dash can vault a player ahead of proven college production. While Griffin’s college tape showed savvy route-running, the Packers clearly prioritized Golden’s field-stretching threat and immediate upside opposite Christian Watson.
As for Griffin himself, sources say he’s already generating interest from other clubs in need of depth — and with a strong special-teams pedigree, he figures to land somewhere soon. Until then, his release stands as a signpost of Green Bay’s new direction: speed first, questions later. In the span of a week, the Packers’ wide-receiver room has underscored a clear message: if you bring elite tools, you’ll get a chance, and if you don’t, the door swings wide.
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