Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams debuted a pair of custom all-black cleats with no visible logos on Monday night, ending a weeks-long standoff with the NFL over his preferred footwear. Williams made the switch after racking up $35,823 in fines over two weeks for wearing unauthorized Caddix cleats, according to USA Today.
Williams wore the matte black cleats while leading the Bears past the Seattle Seahawks on Monday. Asked why he made the change, he kept it simple.
“Just to calm things down,” Williams said, according to Yahoo Sports.
The Main Development
Williams had planned to keep wearing the unauthorized Caddix cleats despite the growing fines, but he reversed course this week with the logo-free alternative. He said the decision was about limiting the distraction for his team rather than conceding the underlying dispute over his gear.
The NFL fined Williams $11,941 for wearing Caddix cleats in Week 6 and then doubled that penalty to $23,882 in Week 7, according to ESPN. Those two fines combined for the $35,823 total reported by USA Today. The Yahoo Sports report put his running exposure at nearly $12,000 per week had he continued wearing the branded Caddix cleats.
What It Means
The league’s rules require players to wear gear only from its official partners. Only Nike, Adidas and Under Armour have apparel partnerships with the NFL, and any player who wears another brand must cover the logo to avoid a uniform violation, per ESPN. The all-black cleats with no visible branding appear designed to satisfy that requirement while still letting Williams wear the style of shoe he prefers.
Williams said he turned to Caddix because of how the cleats are built, not for any sponsorship benefit. He does not have an endorsement deal with the company but said he trusts the safety design behind the product.
“I’m focused on my health. I’m focused on being able to be out here for the guys. And if that can give me a small percentage up and it works, then that’s what I’m going to do,” Williams said, according to ESPN.
Context: The Caddix Debate
Caddix designs its cleats with studs built to release more quickly and limit torque on the foot, a design the company markets as a way to reduce ACL and ankle injuries. An estimated 40 NFL players currently wear Caddix cleats, according to ESPN, but Williams became the most visible example of the dispute because of the mounting fines tied to his usage.
The controversy drew offers of financial support from outside the Bears organization. Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen told ESPN he was prepared to cover the cost.
“From a safety metric perspective, Caleb’s cleats are one of the safest pairs players can wear. Regardless if this is a marketing fine or not, I’m happy to pay it,” Rasmussen said.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco made a similar offer directly to Williams, according to USA Today.
“If Caleb gets fined again for wearing Caddix, I’ll pay the fine myself,” Flacco said.
Team Impact
Williams wore the new cleats in the Bears’ win over the Seahawks, the same game in which he led Chicago to victory. The switch comes during a stretch in which the Bears have dealt with other injury and roster questions, including the knee injury to tight end Cole Kmet.
What’s Next
There is no word yet on whether the NFL will formally sign off on the all-black, logo-free cleats as compliant with its uniform policy, and the league has not issued a public response to the switch. Williams and the Bears will look to build on the win over Seattle as Chicago continues its season.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
