Chicago Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams was fined more than $11,000 for wearing Caddix cleats during the Bears’ Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The NFL’s uniform rules state that “only logos or brand names from the league’s official partners can be displayed.” Because Caddix is not an official NFL partner, Williams violated the league’s uniform policy by wearing cleats with the brand’s visible logo, resulting in the fine.
Williams wore Caddix cleats during the Bears’ first two regular-season
games but was not fined until his return from injury in Week 6.
The cleats feature Caddix’s patented “SmartStuds” technology, which is designed to reduce stress on the lower body during athletic movements. The studs are designed to “flex and release under load,” rather than lock the foot in place. They also “deform slightly during pivoting and cutting, allowing for quicker stud release from the playing surface.” The technology is designed to reduce rotational torque on the knees and ankles while maintaining the traction athletes need to accelerate and change direction. According to Caddix’s website, this type of force is associated with noncontact ACL tears and other knee and ankle injuries.
The company says the technology is based on biomechanical research identifying safe rotational stiffness ranges.
Caddix founder Jack Rasmussen issued a statement Monday addressing the attention surrounding Williams’ use of the brand’s cleats, which Complex Sneakers shared on X.
“Caleb didn’t sign a deal with us. We have not paid him and are not paying him,” Rasmussen stated. “He bought our cleats because they’re the only ones built with SmartStuds.”
Rasmussen added that Caddix would cover the fines Williams has incurred.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, who is listed as one of four athlete advisors on Caddix’s website, also voiced his support for Williams. In a statement to ESPN, the veteran quarterback said he would personally cover any additional fines Williams receives for wearing the cleats.
“If Caleb gets fined again for wearing Caddix, I’ll pay the fine myself,” Flacco said. “I’ve worn these cleats for years, and I know firsthand the difference they make. When you’re playing at this level, you need equipment you can trust. This isn’t about making a statement or breaking the rules just to break them. It’s about wearing gear that works for you and helps keep you safe on the field. If Caleb believes in Caddix the way I do, I’m happy to stand behind him.”
Despite the fine, Williams said Wednesday that he plans to continue wearing the cleats.
“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, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Williams explained that his decision to wear Caddix cleats comes down to prioritizing his health and limiting the physical toll of the game over the course of a long season and career.
“I’m huge into my body, I’m huge into trying to stay on the field, I’m huge into trying to be healthy. It’s a rough game,” Williams said. “The cleats, they’ve been great. They’ve been super comfy, and they’ve worked. They are a science type of cleat. It’s something that focuses on when you plant on the hard plants on turf or grass. They call them SmartStuds, and they move when you move in these hard plants. They take tension off your tendons, your joints, and all of that. So over the course of a long career or over the course of a long year, when you can take some percentage, it could be one, it could be 50, it could be 12 … when you take that percentage off consistently over a period of time, you get to have the chance, a higher chance of being healthy. So, that’s what I focus on.”
Williams also said he has noticed a difference in how his body feels since switching to Caddix cleats.
“My joints and my ankles and my knees and my feet haven’t bothered me as much from the other cleats that I’ve worn,” Williams said. “They’ve worked for me, and I feel that I feel a difference.”
As players continue to look for ways to protect their bodies and extend their careers, Caddix’s technology has attracted interest from across the NFL.
Williams is one of an estimated 40 NFL players currently wearing Caddix cleats. Other notable players featured on the company’s website wearing its cleats include former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid and San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.
