Bears QB Caleb Williams blacks out logo on cleats, says he wants 'to calm things down' after risking $12,000 in NFL fines

November 3, 2026

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams made a strategic shift Monday night, opting for plain black cleats without any visible branding to avoid further NFL fines. The move came after Williams faced cumulative penalties totaling nearly $12,000 over the past two weeks for wearing Caddix cleats, which feature a logo prohibited by the league’s partnership with Nike.

Williams, who led the Bears to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks, explained his decision as an effort to reduce media attention and maintain focus on the team’s performance. Despite initially vowing to continue wearing the cleats—designed to reduce ACL and ankle injuries—he acknowledged the financial and logistical burden of the fines, which could have exceeded $11,941 per game if sustained.

The compromise follows Williams’ earlier stance, where he insisted on wearing the cleats regardless of the league’s rules, aligning with the company’s mission even without an endorsement deal. Caddix CEO Jack Rasmussen has pledged to cover any future fines, while Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco has also offered support, highlighting the growing solidarity among players advocating for alternative gear options.