Lions coach is sick and tired of hearing about Ben Johnson

The Detroit Lions are preparing to face their former offensive coordinator for the first time since he left the team, but one member of the current coaching staff has grown tired of talking about it.

Ben Johnson was hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears this offseason following six years as an assistant in Detroit. The Lions will host the Bears on Sunday, so the media has been focused on head coach Dan Campbell squaring off against his former offensive coordinator.

On Friday, Lions defensive coordinator Ben Sheppard was asked several questions about the challenges of facing Johnson, whom Sheppard worked with for the last several years. One reporter asked Sheppard what the coach thinks is Johnson’s greatest strength as a play-caller. Sheppard practically interrupted the question with a blunt response.

Lions DC Ben Sheppard doesn't want to talk about Ben Johnson

“Everything. Next question,” Sheppard said.

A different reporter then asked how much Sheppard is looking forward to “the chess match” he will have against Johnson. The coach seemed to get even more irritated at that point.

“I’m looking forward to seeing our players respond off of a loss. I could care less who’s calling the plays, who’s over there, what’s the scenario, what the media wants to make this out to be,” Sheppard said. “We are coming off a loss, ladies and gentlemen. I’m looking forward to seeing not only our players, but our coaches, respond coming off of a loss.”