Caleb Williams' choice of cleats keeps getting more expensive. The NFL fined the Chicago Bears quarterback $23,882 for wearing Caddix cleats in Week 7.

That is double the $11,941 fine he got for wearing the same shoes in Week 6. The league says the cleats carry an unauthorized logo.

Only Nike, Adidas and Under Armour have deals with the NFL. Players who wear another brand are supposed to cover up the logo. Williams has not done that and says he does not plan to start when the Bears visit the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.

Why Williams likes them

Caddix builds its cleats around what it calls SmartStuds. The studs are designed to flex and release when a player cuts or pivots. The company says that takes pressure off the knees and ankles.

Williams said his joints and feet have felt better in them. "I'm huge into my body," he said. "I'm huge into trying to stay on the field." He called them "science cleats" and said a bunch of other players wear them too. An estimated 40 NFL players do.

Caddix will cover the bill

Williams has appealed his first fine. Caddix founder Jack Rasmussen said the company will pay it if the appeal fails. "Regardless if this is a marketing fine or not, I'm happy to pay it," Rasmussen said.

Williams missed Weeks 3 through 5 with a hamstring injury. Since coming back he has thrown for more than 300 yards in back-to-back games against Atlanta and New England. He is the first Bears quarterback to do that since Mitchell Trubisky in 2018.