Caleb Williams refuses to give up the banned cleats and defies NFL rules: another $23,000 fine

C aleb Williams is prepared to keep challenging the NFL's footwear regulations, even if doing so means facing increasingly expensive penalties.

The Chicago Bears quarterback has received a second fine for wearing Caddix cleats with a visible logo, with the latest punishment reaching $23,882.

According to Pro Football Talk, the league issued the fine after Williams wore the unauthorised footwear during Chicago's Week 7 game against the New England Patriots .

It represents double the $11,941 penalty he received for displaying the same branding during the Bears' Week 6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons .

The NFL's position is based on its uniform and equipment rules. Nike, Adidas and Under Armour are among the league's official footwear partners, and players who choose shoes from brands without the relevant agreement must conceal their logos during games.

Caddix does not have that partnership, meaning Williams is technically in violation of the rules when he displays its branding. The quarterback could avoid further penalties by covering the logo, but he has indicated that he does not intend to do so.

For Williams , the decision is about more than choosing a particular brand. He believes the design of the footwear can help reduce the physical strain associated with playing professional football, especially over the course of a long season.

“I’m huge into trying to stay on the field,” Williams said. “I’m huge into trying to be healthy. It’s a rough game and things like that. So the cleats, they’ve been great. They’ve been super comfy, and they’ve worked.”

The cleats feature Caddix's SmartStuds technology, which the company says allows the studs to flex and rotate under pressure. Its stated aim is to reduce the rotational forces that can place stress on players' ankles and knees.

Williams believes even a relatively small improvement in comfort or physical strain could make a difference over several seasons.

“They take tension off of your tendons, your joints, and all of that. So over the course of a long career or over the course of a long year, when you can take some percentage it could be one, it could be 50, it could be 12, it could be whatever, you know. When you take that percentage off consistently over a period of time, you know, you get to have the chance, a higher chance of being healthy. And so that’s what I focus on,” Williams said.

Why Williams is willing to risk another NFL fine

The quarterback's determination is understandable in the context of his recent injury problems. Williams suffered a hamstring injury during Chicago's Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings , forcing him to miss three games before returning to action.

He has since spoken about the importance of protecting his lower body and remaining available for his teammates. He has also said that his ankles, knees, feet and joints have felt better in the Caddix footwear than in some of the alternatives he previously used.

“I’m focused on being able to be out here for the guys and if that can give me a small percentage up and it works, then that’s what I’m gonna do.”

There is also evidence that Williams has developed a strong preference for the product. He wore Caddix cleats during the preseason and the opening two games of the regular season, although the white versions he used did not display a prominent logo.

The issue became more visible when he switched to black footwear against Atlanta and New England.

Williams ' performances since returning have also been encouraging for Chicago. He threw for more than 300 yards in consecutive games against the Falcons and Patriots , becoming the first Bears quarterback to achieve that feat since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018.

Chicago won both contests, improving its record to 5-2 ahead of a Monday Night Football meeting with the Seattle Seahawks .

The dispute has attracted support from Caddix founder Jack Rasmussen , who has offered to cover Williams ' fines. Rasmussen told ESPN: “From a safety metric perspective, Caleb’s cleats are one of the safest pairs players can wear,” adding: “Regardless if this is a marketing fine or not, I’m happy to pay it.”

Former quarterback Tom Brady has also endorsed the brand, praising its approach to combining performance and player protection. Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco has reportedly offered to pay any future fine Williams receives for wearing the footwear.

However, there is an important distinction between the company's claims about its technology and independently established evidence that the cleats prevent injuries. Their design may appeal to players, but the NFL's branding requirements remain in force.

Williams has appealed his first fine, while the second penalty adds another complication to the situation. The league has not banned him from wearing the shoes themselves; the issue is the visible unauthorised branding.

For now, the Bears quarterback appears willing to accept the financial consequences rather than change equipment he believes benefits his health. His next appearance against Seattle will therefore attract attention not only for what he does on the field, but also for what he chooses to wear on his feet.