[5][6] Following his sophomore season though, head coach Mike Stoops switched Golden to strong safety.

[7] In the 2011 season, he recorded 69 total tackles, one pick six (against Washington), six passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

[13] He finished his first year playing in 15 games and made 6 tackles as a back-up free safety behind long-time Steelers veteran Ryan Clark.

[16] During his second year he played in all 16 games and recorded 14 total tackles as the Steelers finished 8–8 for the second consecutive season.

[17] He opened the 2014 season as a back-up to new free safety Will Allen, after Clark's departure during the off-season.

In the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, he completed a 25-yard pass to Antwon Blake in the fourth quarter.

[11] Golden began the 2016 regular season as the Steelers' starting strong safety after they chose to not resign Will Allen during the off-season.

On September 18, 2016, Golden made a career-high nine combined tackles and a pass deflection during a 24–16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals[22] He started the first nine games of the season but began rotating with rookie Sean Davis against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9.

By Week 11, he had been benched in favor of the rookie Davis during the Steeler's victory over the Cleveland Browns.