Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reportedly fined 2nd time over his cleats, will have to pay $23,000: Know why he refuses to remove the shoes

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was yet again fined for his cleats, several reports said including NBC and ESPN. Williams was fined for the second consecutive week as he continued to wear his Caddix cleats during the Bears’ 30-24 win against the Patriots.

Williams was earlier fined $11,941 for wearing the Caddix ‘smart’ cleats during the Week 6 game against the Falcons, he himself revealed. The incident has become a contentious issue across the NFL as Williams continues to defy the league.

NFL doubled Caleb Williams’ fine to over $23,000

According to NBC, citing multiple reports the NFL has doubled Williams’ fine to $23,882 after he wore the cleats again despite the first fine. According to the NFL, the cleats violate their uniform rules.

William’s cleats carry an “unauthorised logo” that violates the league’s rules.The NFL only allows players’ uniforms to show logos from the brands it partners with. These brands include Nike, Under Armour and Adidas, according to ESPN.

There are no restrictions on players wearing uniform elements from other brands, however the league’ rules state that the players must cover up the logos. Williams has so far refused to do so, wearing the Caddix cleats with their logo showing.

The quarterback says he’ll continue to sport the cleats

Despite the heavy fine, Williams said that he would keep wearing the cleats. He said the cleats were a way of supporting his body, saying, “As we’ve known for the past couple of years now, I am huge into my body, I am huge into trying to state on the field…It’s a rough game…The cleats, they’ve been great, they have been super comfy and they’re worked.” He further praised the shoes saying, “They are a science type of cleat.”


The quarterback previously wore Nike cleats in the 2024-2025 season. He said he had been trying to switch to Caddix cleats for a year. According to Caddix, Williams does not currently hold a contract with the company and bought the cleats himself.

What is so special about the Caddix cleats?

According to the company, Caddix, these cleats are described as “SmartStuds”. The shows are specially designed to “reduce rotational force on an athlete’s knees and ankles”. The cleats feature special studs which are flexible and hence able to lessen the force.

Additionally, the cleats also feature a stiffer plate offering the athletes more support and “improved energy return”, according to the company. The cleats are also designed with functional padding which could eliminate blisters, Caddix claims.

Over 40 NFL players have been sporting the Caddix cleats as of October 2026. Former Super Bowl MVP, who is also an investor in the company had earlier offered to pay any further fines levied on Williams for wearing the cleats.