Sports · American Football · 3 hrs ago
Caleb Williams advances with the Bears while defying NFL cleat rules
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is developing into a top NFL player under head coach Ben Johnson.
In 2025, he led the Bears to seven comeback wins after they trailed in the final two minutes, a record for a quarterback under 25.
This season, he has made progress playing within the team's offense, and he led two second-half scoring drives in Chicago's 30-24 win over New England.
Williams is also refusing to cover the logo on his Caddix cleats, which the NFL says must be covered because the brand is not approved.
The league has fined him $35,823 over the past two weeks, while Williams believes the cleats are safer and wants to promote them.
The dispute recalls former Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, who was fined for wearing an unapproved logo during the team's 1985 season.
Caleb Williams is refusing to cover the logos on his custom Caddix cleats, despite NFL rules requiring non-approved logos to be covered.
The NFL has warned Williams and fined him a total of $35,823 over the past two weeks.
A source close to Williams said his decision is a matter of principle, and Williams believes the cleats are safer.
The Chicago Bears quarterback is also making strides on the field, including leading the team to a 30-24 win over the New England Patriots.
In 2025, Williams led seven comeback victories in which the Bears trailed in the final two minutes, including the playoffs.
- Who
- Caleb Williams, quarterback of the Chicago Bears.
- What
- Williams is refusing to cover the logos on his custom Caddix cleats, contrary to NFL rules, while continuing to excel on the field.
- When
- The NFL warned and fined him over the past two weeks. The articles were published on November 1 and 2, 2026.
- Where
- With the Chicago Bears in the NFL.
- Why
- A source close to Williams said it is a matter of principle. Williams believes the cleats are safer and wants to spread the word.
Caleb Williams and Caddix
NFL
Cleat logos
Caleb Williams and Caddix
Williams is wearing Caddix cleats and refusing to cover their logo.
NFL
League rules require players to cover logos that are not approved by the NFL.
Reason for the rule
Caleb Williams and Caddix
Williams believes in the cleats and wants to spread the word.
NFL
The league allows players to display only Adidas, Nike and Under Armour logos.
Williams completed a 53-yard Hail Mary as time expired to give Gonzaga a win over DeMatha.
Williams led seven Bears comeback victories after the team trailed in the final two minutes, including the playoffs.
The NFL warned Williams and fined him a total of $35,823 over his cleats.
Williams led two second-half scoring drives in the Bears’ 30-24 win over the Patriots.
- NFL fine total
- $35,823
- Cleat brand
- Caddix
- NFL-approved logos
- Adidas, Nike and Under Armour
- Bears record
- 5-2
- Patriots game score
- Bears 30, Patriots 24
- 2025 comebacks
- 7 victories after trailing in the final two minutes, including the playoffs
6 sources
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What people are saying
Caddix isn't in a position to tell players how to wear our products, especially when players purchased them themselves.
I love just where he is mindset-wise right now.
I think my heart rate drops. Everything kind of settles in.