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Packers’ Most Expensive Rookie Shows Up Late – Coach LaFleur Reportedly Furious

Packers GM shares insight on Matthew Golden that highlights exactly why  he's poised to make an early impact - A to Z Sports

Green Bay, August 2025 – As training camp ramps up on Titletown’s Ray Nitschke Field, Monday’s walkthrough ignited more heat than any on-field drill.

Matthew Golden, the Packers’ first-round pick (23rd overall) and highest-paid rookie this year, signed a four-year, $17,575,338 fully guaranteed contract—including a $9,422,064 signing bonus. Yet he reportedly strolled into a key morning meeting late, prompting Head Coach Matt LaFleur to unleash a public rebuke:

“You’re the most expensive rookie, and your talent is also rated the highest — but your sense of discipline isn’t worth a dime. If you’re late one more time, you won’t have any chance to show your talent. I need commitment more than talent.”

Veterans like Jaire Alexander and Za’Darius Smith watched in stunned silence as LaFleur’s words echoed through the locker room. According to team sources, this marked Golden’s second tardy since camp opened.

“Money can buy you a contract, but it can’t buy accountability,” a defensive assistant noted. “In Green Bay, everyone earns their stripes—no exceptions.”

Now the question looms: Can Golden shake off this rocky start, or will early lapses in discipline overshadow his elite potential?

 

 

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Ex-Packers QB seen as Bengals’ “silver bullet” in return to Green Bay
Green Bay, WI — With the quarterback spot still unsettled, the Cincinnati Bengals are weighing Sean Clifford, a former Green Bay Packers draft pick, as a potential “silver bullet” at Lambeau Field this weekend. Clifford, a 2023 fifth-round selection by the Packers, spent his rookie season backing up Jordan Love before moving to Cincinnati, giving him familiarity with the Green Bay environment and in-game operations. According to team indications, if Clifford is tapped to start, he would likely be paired with a tailored script: quick-game throws, simplified play-action, and half-rollouts designed to limit turnovers and control tempo. On the Packers’ side, the defensive emphasis will be on setting the edge, forcing outside throws, and varying post-snap pressure to disrupt the quarterback’s first read. Sean Clifford: “Returning to Lambeau is a terrific feeling; I miss my time here. They gave me things I haven’t found elsewhere. But this time, we’re opponents — I respect the fans and this organization, and the best way to show that respect is to play my hardest and help Cincinnati leave here with a win.” The Bengals’ final call at quarterback is expected closer to kickoff, but preparing a Clifford-specific plan gives the staff added tactical leverage. With a result badly needed to build momentum, Cincinnati is banking on the element of surprise from a familiar face in Green Bay to swing the game’s pivotal moments.