Caleb Williams says he'll continue to wear unathorized cleats during games despite $12,000 fines
· Yahoo Sports
How important are Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ new cleats? Important enough that the star is willing to pay roughly $12,000 every game to keep wearing them.
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Williams, who was fined $11,941 for displaying an “unauthorized logo” on his cleats during the team’s Week 6 win over the Atlanta Falcons, said Wednesday that he intends to keep wearing the cleats the rest of the season.
Those cleats, which are made by a company called Caddix, were designed with the intention of reducing ACL and ankle injuries thanks to the way their studs rotate and release on a surface.
Problem is, Caddix does not have a deal with the NFL. Because of that, the company’s logo cannot be displayed by players during games.
Williams, who does not have an endorsement deal with Caddix, spoke highly of the cleats Wednesday, and said he intended to continue wearing them because he believes in the science behind the cleats.
“I’m huge my body. I’m huge into trying to stay on the field. I’m huge into trying to be healthy,” Williams said. “It’s a rough game.”
After explaining how the shoes work, Williams said he wants to keep wearing the cleats because he sees the importance of taking some wear and tear off his body during his career.
“Over the course of a long career or over the course of a long year, when you can take some percentage, it can be one, it could be 50, it could be 12, it could be whatever. When you take that percentage off consistently over a period of time, you get to have the chance, a higher chance of being healthy. That’s what I focus on. I try to be healthy.”
Williams added that his lower body hasn’t bothered him as much this season, which partly fueled his decision to keep wearing the cleats.
The quarterback has worn the unauthorized shoes throughout the entire preseason and in both Week 1 and Week 2. Thus far, he’s only been fined for wearing the Caddix cleats in Week 6. Images from the team’s Week 7 game against the New England Patriots also shows Williams wearing the cleats. As of Thursday, he has not received a fine from the NFL, at least not one that’s been acknowledged publicly.
Williams is far from the only player to wear Caddix cleats this season. Complex compiled a list of various players who have used the cleats in 2026.
While Williams’ fines could rack up quickly if the NFL decides to hammer home the issue, it doesn’t sound like the quarterback has to worry about that. Upon hearing of the fine, Caddix’s CEO, Jack Rasmussen, has reportedly offered to pay Williams’ fines. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, who has worn Caddix cleats for a while now, told ESPN he was also willing to pay Williams’ fine the next time the NFL comes calling.