NFL3 hours ago1 minute read

Bears QB Caleb Williams Fined Again Over Unapproved Cleats

Caleb Williams received a $23,882 fine for wearing unapproved Caddix cleats, but he has no plans to change his footwear.

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Costly Footwear Choice

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is facing another fine from the NFL for his footwear choices. The league fined Williams $23,882 for wearing Caddix cleats during his Week 7 game.

The new penalty is double the $11,941 fine Williams received in Week 6 after returning from a hamstring injury. The NFL issued the fines because the shoes display an unauthorized logo. Official league partnerships belong exclusively to Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. If a player opts to wear a different brand, the logo must be completely covered.

Prioritizing Health Over Penalties

Williams confirmed he has no plans to black out or cover the logo when Chicago plays the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. He is among an estimated 40 players in the NFL who wear Caddix cleats.

His decision centers around avoiding injuries. Caddix shoes feature patented SmartStuds technology, which helps reduce rotational torque transmitted to the knees and ankles during quick cuts.

Williams emphasized that maintaining his physical health is his top priority. He shared that his joints, ankles, knees and feet do not hurt as much as they did in other shoes, calling them science cleats that help keep players on the field.

Appeals and On Field Success

Williams has already filed an appeal for his Week 6 fine. Caddix founder Jack Rasmussen stated that the company will cover the payment if Williams loses the appeal, adding that he is happy to pay it given the safety performance of the shoes.

Williams used the cleats throughout the preseason and in Chicago's first two games before his hamstring injury sidelined him for Weeks 3 through 5. He returned to action against the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. In those games, he became the first Bears quarterback since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018 to deliver back to back 300 yard passing games.

What it means for the next game

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (NFL, Tue, 03 Nov): Seattle Seahawks win 55%, Chicago Bears win 45%; projected score Seattle Seahawks 26, Chicago Bears 22. Our safest pick: Over 39.5 points.