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

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

Rodgers suffered a season-ending ruptured Achilles just four snaps into his Jets debut in September before recovering significantly faster than expected after a successful recovery.

Despite almost working his way back to full fitness at the end of last year, New York’s miserable run of form meant there was no point in Robert Saleh and Co rushing the four-time MVP back from injury too soon 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 spotted heading into 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 a season-ending ruptured Achilles just four snaps into his Jets debut in September

In pictures obtained by DailyMail.com, the 40-year-old was captured in sunglasses, compression leggings and a pair of blue shorts as he traded fist bumps with others as he fought through his own exhaustion during the outdoor workout. He also took some photos with passers-by at the famous Santa Monica steps, where many athletes from the LA area 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 don’t come back from this injury,”’ the quarterback said during a wide-ranging 2 1/2-hour interview on the ‘I Can Fly’ podcast, which was published Tuesday.

Rodgers, who was traded to the Jets last season after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, was injured just four snaps into his debut with New York on Sept. 11.

“I had this incredible off-season experience in a new city, in a new city, with new teammates, a new organization, an owner for the first time, and I really fell in love with the game that I first fell in love with when I was 5 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, playing four pieces. Talk about an ego death.’

The 40-year-old has worked 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 should be included on a list of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged associates.

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