Caleb Williams has received unlikely help from Joe Flacco as the veteran decided to step in to pay the Chicago Bears quarterback’s fine over his cleats.

Williams has only recently returned from a grade 2 hamstring tear he sustained in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 20, which sidelined him for three straight games for Ben Johnson's side. The 24-year-old returned for the Week 6 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 18, before featuring again just four days later against the New England Patriots, helping the Bears to victories in both games as they improved to 5-2 for the year.

Williams starred on Thursday Night Football against the Patriots, logging his second consecutive 300-yard passing game by putting up 308 yards and two touchdowns in the win. However, he was fined by the NFL for wearing special “science cleats” made by independent brand Caddix.

The cleats are specifically designed to keep his lower body healthy and relieve tension on his joints and tendons. But because they are produced by Caddix, and not one of the brands that have an exclusive footwear partnership with the NFL, such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor, Williams has been fined.

He was slapped with two penalties: an $11,941 uniform violation fine after the Falcons game, which then doubled to $23,882 after he wore them again against the Patriots.

Williams does not have an endorsement deal with Caddix and instead buys the cleats himself. However, the company’s founder, Jack Rasmussen, has publicly stated that they will gladly cover all of his NFL fines so he can continue prioritizing his health - and Williams intends to continue wearing them.

On Friday, Flacco offered to pay Williams’ fines himself. The former Super Bowl champion first began wearing the cleats in 2024, and is an investor and advisor to Caddix.

“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.”

Williams intends to keep wearing the cleats. Speaking ahead of Chicago's upcoming clash with the Seattle Seahawks, Williams explicitly stated that the mounting costs are worth it as he prioritizes his performance and safety over league rules.

“They are a science-type of cleat. It's something that focuses on when you plant on the hard parts on turf or grass; they call them SmartStuds, and they move when you move,” Williams explained to reporters. “They take tension off of your tendons, your joints, and all of that.

“Over the course of a long career, when you take some percentage off consistently, you get to have a higher chance of being healthy, and that's what I focus on.”

He added: “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 gonna do.”

The Bears face the 4-3 Seahawks at Lumen Field on Monday Night Football.