'We need to go earn that respect' — Ben Johnson uses Troy Aikman’s harsh commentary in Week 6 win to send a message to the whole team

Ben Johnson responds to some of the criticism Troy Aikman had for the Bears

"Listen, you want respect in this league, you gotta go earn it," Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Tuesday. "That's where we're at right now. We need to go earn that respect from not only the rest of the teams in the NFL but everybody. That's where we are."

That's the best way to handle the situation. Johnson didn't name names, he didn't come after Aikman, he instead used the situation as an opportunity to send a message to his team and he's absolutely right. And some of the players feel the same way.

Even after winning three straight, people still do not respect the Bears as a team or franchise. And the only way to get that respect is to go out there, win games, and eventually earn it.

“A few people weren’t particularly pleased with how we are winning right now,” Johnson added on ESPN1000. “I woke up this morning and my kids were watching the second half before school. I heard some of the commentary. Listen, in this league, anyway you can find a way to win is a big deal.”

After the game, both Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams noted the team would like to win by 30 points any given day but wins like the team had in Week 4 and Week 6 go a long way toward building locker room morale. But, when it comes to earning respect, maybe the Bears need to put up another blowout performance.

And Chicago will have a chance to do just that when the team returns home to take on the New Orleans Saints this Sunday.