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There was a revealing moment after practice Wednesday morning when Minnesota Monsters quarterback Javonte Johnson evaluated his own play with the kind of blunt honesty players and coaches usually deliver behind closed doors.
“Horrible, for sure,” Johnson said of his performance through three games, including a 7-of-24, 97-yard, three-touchdown effort in last Sunday’s 40-36 victory at Oceanside. “I’m definitely looking to play way better — and not just a little bit better. I expect a complete 360 in the next few games.”
That assessment carried unusual weight considering the broader reality surrounding the Monsters (2-1) entering Saturday night’s Arena Football One rematch against Michigan (1-2). Minnesota has opened the season with four consecutive road games, endured cross-country flights, overnight bus rides and injuries that gutted parts of its receiving corps — yet still sits near the top of the nine-team league standings.
The Monsters defeated Michigan 46-25 on April 25 at the Dow Events Center behind one of their most complete performances of the season. Johnson completed 10 of 14 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown while Minnesota rushed for a season-high 85 yards and sacked Arsenal quarterback Malik Henry five times.
“That was probably our best offensive, full game overall,” Johnson said.
Even so, Johnson believes Minnesota’s offense has yet to approach its potential.
“If it wasn’t for the offense line carrying this, I’m not sure if we’d score at any point,” Johnson said. “I don’t want to give us too bad a grade because the offensive line, they’re the best offensive line in the league. But as far as quarterback and receivers, we've got to do a better job for sure.”
Johnson said one of the biggest early lessons of AF1 has been the physical nature of the league, particularly defensively.
“It’s a big physical game,” Johnson said. “You need a bunch of fast guys on offense to stretch the field. I'm learning you can run the ball in the AF1. But the defenses are a big part of the league, for sure.”
That realization has helped shape Minnesota’s identity. While arena football traditionally revolves around high-volume passing attacks, the Monsters have leaned heavily on their offensive line and running back Shannon Brooks to create balance offensively.
“Shannon’s a special player, a former starter for Minnesota in the Big 10,” Johnson said. “All the cutbacks, running hard, stuff like that. But our offensive line definitely …”
Johnson said most AF1 teams are not built to establish a consistent running game.
“Most teams don’t even have a real running back,” he said. “They usually have a fullback for a two- or three-yard type of thing. We've got a five-, six-yard type of guy, maybe longer.”
That running attack became even more important after injuries disrupted Minnesota’s receiving unit.
“We’ve been trying to figure it out since then,” Johnson said. “But with (6-6 WR Jamal) Couch coming back this week, and with Mo (Strong) and Otis (Odom) picking it up, we've figured it out.”
Michigan enters the rematch coming off a 46-36 victory over visiting Oregon last Saturday, setting up a significantly different challenge than the first meeting two weeks earlier.
The game also arrives at the end of another demanding travel stretch for Minnesota. After returning from San Diego on Monday night, the Monsters boarded a bus in Minneapolis and arrived home around 3 a.m. The team practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, and practices again Thursday before attacking another 10-plus hour bus trip to Michigan.
Johnson did not use the schedule as an excuse. He simply acknowledged the physical toll.
“It’s definitely a turnaround,” he said. “Everybody’s being pros about it, just looking to help each other out. But it’s definitely a toll on the body for sure.”
The toughest part?
“Just sitting in that seat,” Johnson said, referring to the strain on his lower back.
Still, Johnson believes the chemistry inside Minnesota’s locker room has helped stabilize a first-year franchise navigating the grind of an unforgiving opening month.
“Everybody’s like a family, and we stick together no matter what,” Johnson said.
And despite the 2-1 start, Johnson said he still expects much more from both himself and the offense moving forward.
“Couple touchdown games, three touchdown game, five touchdown game, 10 touchdown game,” Johnson said. “But ultimately we just want to win a championship.”
That mindset may explain why the Monsters continue to sound unsatisfied despite surviving one of the league’s most difficult early-season stretches. Johnson, perhaps the team’s toughest internal critic, remains convinced Minnesota has not yet shown its best version.
