Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been fined $11,941 by the NFL for wearing unauthorized Caddix cleats during the team's Week 6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The league permits only Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour logos on footwear during games.
Despite the fine, Williams said he will continue wearing the cleats because he believes they help him stay healthy. He described the cleats as "science type" with patented "SmartStuds" technology designed to reduce tension on tendons and joints during planting and cutting.
The Caddix cleats have gained popularity across the NFL, with nearly 40 players wearing them this season and over 60 as of October 2026. Former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, who first wore them in 2024 and is now an investor in the company, has offered to pay any future fines Williams incurs for wearing the cleats.
Flacco said in a statement to ESPN that the cleats make a difference and that supporting Williams is about player safety, not breaking rules. The NFL typically allows unapproved cleats if the logo is covered, so a compromise could involve Williams taping over the Caddix branding.
Williams emphasized that his choice is driven by health concerns, stating the cleats have worked for him all season. The situation has provided significant publicity for Caddix, which has expanded from one NFL player in 2024 to dozens currently.
