Latest news with #GreenBayPackers'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers WR Matthew Golden Shares 3-Word Message After Signing Contract
The Green Bay Packers' 2025 draft class was peculiar for several reasons, but the most notable was breaking a 22-year streak of not selecting a wide receiver in the first round. Mark Murphy's announcement of the Matthew Golden selection at the podium was one of the most memorable moments of the draft, and it was fitting that such a significant milestone ended in Green Bay of all places. "I'm ready. I've been waiting for this moment my whole life and to be here," Golden said after being drafted. "I'm gonna be present, but I'm gonna let my presence be known and I'm gonna come in here and compete." Advertisement The next step for the rookie out of Texas was finalizing and signing his first NFL contract. On Monday, Matthew Golden and the Packers finalized a four-year, fully guaranteed $17.58 million deal. That night, Golden shared a three-word message on social media to celebrate. Matthew Golden signs autographs during the NFL Draft Red Carpet event at Lambeau Field.© Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images 'Thank You God,' Golden wrote on his X account. In a Thursday, April 24 interview on the Andy & Ari On3 show after the first day of the Draft, Golden shared how he plans to use a share of his earnings. "I definitely want to get my grandma a house," he said. "We lost our family property a few years back. That place is where I spent much of my childhood, and it would mean a lot to be able to give that back to my family." Advertisement Matthew Golden joins a Packers receiving corps that ranked third in the NFL in drops last season and will be without its top man-coverage beater, Christian Watson, until December. There are many ways Matt LaFleur can integrate Golden into the offense, and the rookie should have plenty of opportunities during training camp and the regular season to carve out a role and potentially become one of Jordan Love's go-to targets. Related: Packers Position Coach Shares Striking Observation On Former First-Round Pick
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers' proposal to ban 'Tush Push' fails to pass during league meetings
Packers' proposal to ban 'Tush Push' fails to pass during league meetings The Green Bay Packers' modified proposal attempting to ban the "Tush Push" play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles did not receive enough votes from league owners and failed to pass on Wednesday in Minneapolis. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, 10 teams voted against the proposal. To pass the rule change, the proposal needed "yes" votes from 24 teams, or 75 percent. The final vote was 22 for "yes" and 10 for "no." The Packers' proposal sought to prohibit "an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receivers the snap, immediately at the snap," citing player safety and pace of play concerns. The rule change would have created a 10-yard penalty for attempting the play. Instead, the "Tush Push" lives on. The Eagles, who petitioned hard for the play to remain legal, were clearly happy with the result of the vote: According to ESPN, the Eagles have run the play 108 times since 2022, far and away the most in the NFL. And no team has been more successful running the play, which involves having several players lined up behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and "pushing" the quarterback on a sneak attempt. Shortly after, the Eagles posted a highlight reel on YouTube of over 26 minutes of "Tush Push" plays. Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy has long been in favor of banning the play. He is retiring from his position this summer, so this rule proposal was his final chance to get the play out of the game. The Eagles win again.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How closely did Packers stick to draft principles in 2025? What we learned from 8 picks
How closely did Packers stick to draft principles in 2025? What we learned from 8 picks With the Green Bay Packers' scouting philosophy remaining very much the same going all the way back to the days of Ron Wolf, a fairly strong grasp has been established on what the team looks for in terms of athleticism and other traits at various positions during the draft. Every year though, exceptions are made and the boundaries are bent. These departures from the norm can be small or significant, and there were plenty of them this year. In the 2025 draft, Green Bay deviated from their usual standards on seven of their eight picks, but also stuck to their core principles. Here is how the Packers bent their general guidelines this year: WR Matthew Golden Golden had the most limited athletic profile the Packers have drafted in the first round since 2001, only running a 40 and skipping the vert and broad jumps, as well as the agility testing. It seemed more players than ever opted out of some, if not all of the pre-draft testing this year, which likely prompted this exception being made. Many people thought Green Bay would have to care less about athletic testing in general this year due to the widespread lack of testing, with the idea being: 'If you remove all the players who did not test from your board, there will be barely anyone left." That did not really turn out to be the case. Every player the Packers drafted did at least some athletic testing, and although they did take some players with incomplete profiles, they did not draft anyone who skipped the 40-yard dash. Gutekunst talked pre-draft about how skipping testing hurts players more than it helps them, and made it clear it clouds or even changes evaluation of prospects if they do not test. He was true to his word, and athletic testing will continue to be a vital part of Green Bay's draft philosophy. Along those lines, they did not bend on their penchant for taking players with truly elite speed in round one. Since Brian Gutekunst took over as general manager, he has spent nine of his ten first-round picks on players with an "elite" speed grade according to the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) system. Jordan Love is the only exception. Golden also stretched the limits of how small they are willing to go, at least in terms of non-slot receivers. At 5-11 and 191 pounds, he has the smallest height/weight combination of any boundary receiver drafted by Gutekunst, and going back to the Ted Thompson era, he is even smaller than Greg Jennings was coming out of college. Jennings was just over 5-11, and 197 pounds, and was previously the floor for a receiver the Packers have spent premium capital on in the last two decades. Anthony Belton Tipping the scales at 336 pounds, Belton is the heaviest offensive lineman the Packers have drafted by 15 pounds, even going back to the Thompson era. He actually played even heavier in college, and whether Belton actually keeps dropping weight to get closer to Green Bay's usual range in the low 320s remains to be seen. Speaking to the media at rookie minicamp, he mentioned wanting to drop another 10 pounds, but his weight as of now is unknown. The 336-pound listing is from the combine, so whether he has put weight on since then and wants to lose it again, or is still around that weight but wants to get even lighter, is something of a mystery. Rather than the Packers making an exception or changing their preferences though, the lesson from the Belton pick might be that they actually do not care about players being "too heavy." There have been rumors Green Bay would have selected offensive tackle Darnell Wright instead of Lukas Van Ness if he had been there in 2023. Wright, who was drafted by the Bears before the Packers could have a chance at him, is also a big man at 333 pounds. The assumption that has long been made is that Green Bay stays clear of the comically sized offensive tackles, from both a height and weight standpoint, because there is a limit to how big you can be and still be able to bend, play with leverage and potentially kick inside to play guard. This assumption is likely true, but it seems the key factor is height, rather than weight. Belton is 6-6 even, which is tied for the tallest offensive lineman drafted in the Gutekunst/Thompson era, while Wright was just under 6-5 ⅓. As long as they are not too tall, and are good athletes, like Wright was and Belton is, it appears the Packers do not care how heavy they are to an extent. Gutekunst even joked after the draft that he would often be teased in his days as a scout for over-grading guys who had size. For how well those on the outside have nailed down the types of players the Packers like, there will still always be things that are unknown. It seems this is one of those instances, and something to keep in mind in the future, rather than something the team has changed. Savion Williams Contrary to popular belief, the Packers do care about production, especially at the skill positions. Savion Williams is the least productive wide receiver, in terms of production as a true receiver, that Green Bay has drafted in the Gutekunst/Thompson era. He had just 611 receiving yards in his best season. The previous low in a best season was Christian Watson, who had 801 in his final year at North Dakota State. Williams did have some impressive rushing production to make up for it though, having put up 322 yards on the ground, bringing his yards from scrimmage total up to 933 yards, and he also put up 12 total touchdowns in 2024, six through the air and six on the ground. The Swiss army knife role Williams had within the TCU offense, and the supplemental stats that came from it likely eased concerns over his lack of true receiver production. Barryn Sorrell Sorrell has shorter arms than any edge rusher Gutekunst has drafted at 32.5", although they are longer than Clay Matthews' whom Thompson drafted in round one. Collin Oliver If Oliver is viewed as an EDGE, he is a huge outlier for the Packers in terms of size at just under 6-1 ⅔ and 240 pounds. He is 10 pounds lighter than any edge rusher Gutekunst has drafted (although he is the same weight as Matthews) and a full inch shorter, even including the Thompson era, with Nick Perry the previous low. If he is viewed as a linebacker body type however, Oliver does not break any rules, which is possibly what made Green Bay feel comfortable taking him, knowing there is at least the potential for him to play some off-ball linebacker and not just be a designated pass rusher. Warren Brinson Brinson is marginally slower in terms of 40 time and 10-yard split than any defensive tackle Gutekunst has drafted, behind Karl Brooks by 0.01 seconds in the 40 and 0.02 seconds in terms of 10-yard split, both completely negligible differences. Micah Robinson At 183 pounds, Robinson is lighter than any cornerback the Packers have drafted since at least 2011. He is one pound lighter than Shemar Jean-Charles, whom Gutekunst admitted was a big outlier for them. John Williams If Belton had not become the heaviest offensive lineman drafted by Green Bay in the Gutekunst/Thompson era a day earlier, the award would have gone to John Williams, although not by much, as he is just one pound heavier than Sean Rhyan and Derek Sherrod.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Untold: The Fall of Favre OTT release date Netflix: When to watch the documentary about Brett Favre's life
Untold: The Fall of Favre OTT release date Netflix: The documentary Untold: The Fall of Favre, which will debut on Netflix in May, is a detailed look into the ascent and decline of one of football's most recognisable and divisive personalities named Brett Favre. Beyond the game, this episode of the Untold documentary series reveals the nuanced realities that lie behind the picture, such as Favre's personal struggles. Here are all the details you need to know if you have been waiting to watch this. The trailer was shared by Netflix with the caption, 'This eye-opening documentary delves into Brett Favre's controversial career, the dark side of sports stardom and the scandals that marred his legacy.' Untold: The Fall of Favre OTT release date Untold: The Fall of Favre will be released on Netflix on 20th May 2025. What to expect from Untold: The Fall of Favre? The biography of Brett Favre, the Green Bay Packers' outstanding quarterback who won three NFL MVP awards and guided his club to a Super Bowl victory, is examined in this candid documentary. For those who don't know, it was eventually discovered that Favre also had a habit of improper behavior off the field. Jenn Sterger, a former employee of the New York Jets, made accusations against Favre. She claimed that although the player had not asked for her phone details, she nevertheless received explicit texts from him that ruined her promising career. Favre was also implicated in a large welfare fraud scam and charged with intentionally accepting money meant for low-income families. Meet the producers and director Ian Orefice, Rebecca Gitlitz, Jonna McLaughlin, Amanda Spain, Dave O'Connor, Loren Hammonds, Jon Wertheim, A.J. Perez, Ben Silverman, Howard Owens, Chapman Way, and Maclain Way are executive producers of the movie, which is produced by Time Studios, EverWonder Studio, and Front Office Sports. Rebecca Gitlitz is the director.
Forbes
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
NFL Draft 2025: Is The League Ready For Its Brand Makeover?
This year's highly anticipated NFL Draft 2025 isn't just about selecting talent—I'd say it's about redefining a brand. Hosted in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the NFL Draft should seize this opportunity to reshape its identity in front of millions. The Draft Theater, set at the heart of the Green Bay Packers' Lambeau Field legacy, is drawing fans from San Francisco to South Carolina. It's a moment of truth: what does the NFL want to stand for now? If you've followed my perspective on the NFL brand over the years, you know I've been saying the NFL needs a rebrand. From its initially lenient responses to high-profile domestic violence cases to its marginalization of Colin Kaepernick for his peaceful protests, the league has repeatedly chosen optics over authenticity. It was Nike—not the NFL—that stepped up, launching the 'Dream Crazy' campaign, which, as reported, was inspired by the branding rules of The Kim Kardashian Principle. Now, the NFL faces another critical inflection point. The 2025 draft class, led by star college football players Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Cam Ward, amongst others, is the most media-savvy, brand-conscious generation the league has ever seen. These aren't just prospects—they're platforms. Here's how the NFL can get it right. As mock drafts from NFL Network to ESPN have debated, Cam Ward is widely expected to go first, his strong arm, poise under pressure, and record-setting season at Miami making him the most NFL-ready quarterback on paper, but with over two million followers and a jewel-encrusted football in hand at the NFL Combine—a key event where top prospects showcase their skills for NFL scouts—Shedeur Sanders isn't just vying for a spot, he's vying for the spotlight. There's no question: Sanders is part player appearance schedule, part prime-time event, and fully in charge of his draft profile. Modern college football players like Sanders and Travis Hunter aren't just athletes—they're content ecosystems driving conversation, shaping narratives, and delivering cultural currency. And the savviest teams—yes, even the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs—know that today, what happens off the field often drives the real ROI. The NFL would do well to recognize that players like Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter aren't just assets—they're built-in content ecosystems. According to PwC, 68% of sports industry executives now identify content creation as a key growth driver—proof that athletes who can build and distribute their own narratives are fast becoming the league's most valuable platforms. Gone are the days when a 40-yard dash and a clean stat sheet were enough to secure top draft picks. Today's most valuable athletes should be evaluated with an evolved NFL Draft Guide—one that prioritizes emotional resonance, cultural relevance, and storytelling power. Take Boise State's Ashton Jeanty, who turned down lucrative endorsement deals based on his growing social media influence and transfer opportunities to stay loyal to his team, after leading a record-breaking 2,600-yard season. Or Penn State's Abdul Carter, who transformed from an overlooked high school recruit during COVID into a unanimous All-American by sheer force of will and adaptability. These are stories of grit, loyalty, and purpose. And then there's Mason Graham, the breakout defensive tackle from Michigan—he didn't just dominate on the field, he connected off it. Known for his no-flash, raw, behind-the-scenes training videos, Graham has built a fanbase that sees him as more than a player—they see him as a symbol of work ethic and authenticity. If you're a defensive coordinator, you're watching tape but if you're a brand leader, you're watching influence—who's capturing attention, sparking connection, and turning plays into presence. Because today, I'd say, the smartest franchises—and the savviest marketers—shouldn't just be scouting for strength, they should scout for story. McKinsey would agree, reporting that the most successful brands are now shifting away from legacy metrics, focusing instead on platforms and people who spark community-driven engagement and cultural relevance. In the NFL—and in brand leadership in general—the instinct to protect the system often outweighs the courage to disrupt it. For decades, draft day decisions have revealed a clear preference: safe bets, sanitized narratives, and talent that can be molded quietly into existing frameworks. But as I've said before, in today's world and among a new Gen Z audience, safety is often more stagnation than strategy. Whether it's the Green Bay Packers opting for a well-behaved pass-rusher or the San Francisco 49ers prioritizing positional polish over public profile, the Draft has too often rewarded conformity. But charisma, individuality, and unpredictability aren't distractions amongst today's younger demographic that prize marching to their own drumbeat—they're increasingly necessary brand differentiators. Just look at Kayvon Thibodeaux, who entered the league not just as a top edge rusher but as an entrepreneur and cultural commentator—launching a crypto literacy initiative during his draft campaign and openly challenging narratives around Black athletes and intellectualism. Or Patrick Mahomes, whose natural ease with the media, sharp commercial instincts, and role in the Kansas City Chiefs' back-to-back Super Bowl runs made him one of the most bankable faces in sports. Mahomes didn't just lead a team—he built a transmedia brand presence that extended from the field to State Farm ads, gaming platforms, and international fan bases. What these players prove is this: when leaders bet on charisma, they can unlock compound value, not just in ratings, but in relevance. And as McKinsey research shows, brands that embrace bold, creative strategies significantly outperform their risk-averse competitors. And that's the lesson for the NFL: playing not to lose is exactly how you fall behind. What makes this generation opportunity different isn't just that athletes like Jaxson Dart, Matthew Golden and Derrick Harmon—whose bold style and NIL (name, image, likeness) endorsement deals are already resonating with Gen Z—and who show up with pre-built loyal fanbases. It's that they expect a seat at the table, and increasingly, so do the people who follow them. Fueled by entrepreneurial instinct, today's prospects aren't looking to be 'developed,' they're looking to collaborate. And yet too many legacy organizations still treat influence like it's a risk to be mitigated rather than an engine to be ignited. I believe, the winning brands—and leagues—of tomorrow will aim to co-create, not control. That means involving athletes in content, strategy, and even product innovation—from docuseries and branded merch drops to shared IP deals and social storytelling. It's not about slapping a logo on a jersey more about building the story with the jersey. As Deloitte notes, today's consumers expect to co-author brand narratives. When players are treated as creative partners, not just spokespeople, it's a signal: this brand doesn't just get culture. It trusts it. The NFL has tried to patch its image with everything from ceremonial football handoffs to nonprofit fundraising events. But today, amongst the savviest audience till date with highly tuned authenticity detectors, you can't rebrand with optics; You must rebuild with alignment. If the league wants to be seen as more than entertainment, it needs to stand behind its most resonant voices—players like Tetairoa McMillan, whose performance and off-field maturity make him as valuable in the locker room as in a content campaign, alongside Abdul Carter—not because they're safe, but because they're true to themselves. Because they represent not just talent, but values. Because relevance today isn't about airtime, it's about emotional resonance. Audiences no longer just watch—they judge. And they're judging whether your brand actually believes what it says. Interestingly, Accenture reports that 62% of consumers want brands to take a stand on issues that matter. And 42% will walk away if they sense a disconnect between message and action. In this era, authenticity isn't a nice-to-have. It's a non-negotiable. The NFL Draft Theater may be the center of the action, but what's really on display is the league's identity. With interactive exhibits, event site maps, and curated Draft Experience installations taking over Green Bay, this weekend isn't just a celebration of football—it's a broadcast of what the NFL wants the world to believe it stands for. And the world is watching closely. Because tomorrow's most valuable players won't just perform on Sundays, they'll own the moment and shape culture in real time—and expect the brands they represent to do the same. If the NFL wants to regain its relevance—it must stop trying to manage the culture and start backing the people who are shaping it. The old model of control is quickly collapsing and the new one demands collaboration, conviction, and clarity. So the real question isn't who goes first in the Draft. I believe it's this: Will the NFL finally pick itself? Named Esquire's Influencer of the Year, Jeetendr Sehdev is a media personality and leading voice in fashion, entertainment, and influence, and author of the New York Times bestselling phenomenon The Kim Kardashian Principle: Why Shameless Sells (and How to Do It Right).
