NFL fines Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams $23,882 for wearing Caddix cleats in Week 7, a penalty that was double the $11,941 he received for the same issue in Week 6.
The league considers the brand logo unauthorized because only Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor hold official partnerships. Any player using another manufacturer must cover the logo to meet uniform standards.
Williams returned from a hamstring injury that kept him out of Weeks 3-5 and wore cleats against the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots. He said he has no plans to black out the Caddix logo for Monday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks.
Williams appealed the Week 6 fine, and Caddix said it will cover the amount if the appeal is unsuccessful.
Caddix founder Jack Rasmussen described the cleats as one of the safest options available based on safety metrics and said he was willing to pay the fine whether or not it was viewed as a marketing thing.
“From a safety standpoint, Caleb’s cleats are one of the safest pairs players can wear,” Rasmussen said in a statement to ESPN. “Whether it’s a marketing fine or not, I’m happy to pay for it.”
Williams wore the shoe in the preseason and the Bears’ first two regular-season games. The cleats feature patented SmartStuds technology intended to reduce rotational torque on the knees and ankles, a factor associated with noncontact injuries.
After his return, Williams became the Bears’ first quarterback since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018 to record back-to-back 300-yard passing games. He notices that his joints, ankles, knees, and feet are less bothered by the cleats than others he’s tried, and he stresses that the continued reduction of stress on tendons and joints improves his chances of staying healthy and available.
An estimated 40 NFL players used Caddix cleats this season.