Aaron Rodgers arrives at the New York Jets’ facility as legendary quarterback begins preparation for the new NFL season after rupturing his Achilles in September

Aaron Rodgers is back in the building as the New York Jets quarterback puts the wheels in motion for his long-awaited return from injury later this year.

Rodgers suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, just four times in his debut for the Jets in September, before recovering significantly faster than expected after successful surgery.

Despite returning almost to full fitness at the end of last year, New York’s miserable form meant there was little point in Robert Saleh and Co. the four-time MVP returning from injury too quickly with nothing left to play for.

Instead, Rodgers has been able to continue his rehabilitation through the first third of 2024 before returning when the new NFL season begins in September.

On Monday, he was seen entering the Jets’ practice facility to begin preparations for the 2024 campaign — just 24 hours after he was spotted working out with members of the USC Trojans.

Rodgers suffered just four season-ending torn Achilles in his debut for the Jets in September

In photos obtained by DailyMail.com, the 40-year-old was captured wearing sunglasses, compression tights and blue shorts, exchanging fist bumps with others as he battled through his own exhaustion during outdoor training. He also took some photos with passersby at the famous Santa Monica steps, where many LA athletes come to train.

Rodgers, who played for USC rival California in college, acknowledged during a podcast appearance last week that he briefly thought his playing career might be over after the injury.

‘I really thought: this is it. You’re not coming back from this injury,” the quarterback said during an extensive 2.5-hour interview on the “I Can Fly” podcast, which was published Tuesday.

Rodgers, traded to the Jets last offseason after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, was injured just four times in his debut with New York on September 11.

“I had this incredible offseason experience in a new town, in a new town, with new teammates, a new organization, an owner for the first time, and really fell in love again with the game that I first fell in love with when I was five years old,” Rodgers said. “And it was absolutely beautiful and special and deep and rich and delicious, and just incredible.

“And then, one of the most heartbreaking nights of my life, when I did four plays. Talk about an ego death.’

The 40-year-old has been working on his way back to full fitness in early 2024

Rodgers has also been at the center of controversy in his time away from the football field after he appeared to suggest in January that comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel be named on a list of alleged associates of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Rumors recently suggested that the former Green Bay star was a potential candidate to be Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s running mate. to be in the upcoming presidential election, before reports emerged claiming he had previously shared false conspiracies about the Sandy Hook massacre.

Rodgers, who is set to return to practice when the Jets begin voluntary organized team activities next month, took to social media to deny those reports.