The Detroit Lions are facing down a must win game in just Week 2.
The team is 0-1 headed back to Ford Field to face off with the Chicago Bears, an NFC North rival and a team now coached by former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The coaching turnover in Detroit has been one heavily reported on, and one that's led to speculation about some guaranteed regression coming the Lions way.
Another coaching change at the defensive coordinator position has allowed for Kelvin Sheppard, the previous linebackers coach for the Lions, to step into the role. And, while he was unhappy with what he saw in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, he has moved on to hyping up his unit for a Week 2 against a former friend turned foe in Johnson and the Bears.
#Lions DC Kelvin Sheppard says he told his defense that Sunday against the Bears will be like training camp practice lol they’ve seen all of this before going against Johnson in Detroit.
— Dannie (@dannierogers___) September 11, 2025
Sheppard telling defense Week 2 will feel like training camp
Sheppard is obviously looking forward to (hopefully) seeing a lot of the same play calling Johnson did with the Lions, with the Bears. The Lions' defense can pick up on that easily, and can therefore play against it like it's training camp and you're just doing drills against your fellow teammates.
With a quarterback like Caleb Williams - shiftier, faster, and far less accurate than Jordan Love - the defense should be able to bounce back a bit against Chicago this Sunday.
At the same time, Sheppard communicated to reporters on Thursday that he isn't necessarily concerned with showing up Johnson in his return to Detroit. The point of this contest is to simply win, and outside narratives don't seemingly matter at the moment to Sheppard.
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“I’m looking forward to seeing our players respond to a loss. I could care less...who’s over there. We are coming off of a loss, ladies and gentlemen," said Sheppard according to CBS reporter Rachel Hopmayer.
Additional comments that should catch every Lions fans' eye include his very short responses to reporters about certain defenders missing assignments, and him repeating the same message over and over regarding those misses: "learn from your mistakes."
The Lions had zero takeaways, zero sacks, and allowed multiple explosive plays against the Packers in Week 1. They didn't look like the powerhouse secondary they were hyped up to be all of training camp, while the pass rush woes that have plagued the team since last season continued to rear their head against a tight Green Bay offensive line.
Communication will be key on both sides of the ball if Detroit wants to respond to their Week 1 loss in an emphatic way. Clearly, that's what Sheppard expects from his defense.