NFL Fines Caleb Williams $11,941 for Unapproved Cleats

The NFL fined Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams $11,941 for wearing Caddix cleats with an unauthorized logo during the Week 6 game against Atlanta, violating the league’s uniform and equipment rules. Williams wore the cleats again against New England the following week, potentially exposing him to another fine, though reports offered only speculation about its amount. Caddix says about 40 NFL players wear its cleats and promotes its flexible-stud technology as designed to reduce rotational forces associated with injuries; those safety benefits are the company’s claims. The case highlights the NFL’s restrictions on unapproved brands, while some coverage and fans questioned the fine given the cleats’ stated protective purpose.