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 ruptured Achilles just four snaps into his debut for the Jets in September, before recovering significantly quicker than expected following a successful op.

Despite almost working his way back to full fitness at the end of last year, New York's miserable form meant there was little 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 in the first third of 2024 before he makes his return when the new NFL season begins in September.

On Monday he was seen making his way 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.

In photos obtained by DailyMail.com, the 40-year-old was captured in sunglasses, compression leggings and a pair of blue shorts exchanging fist bumps with others while fighting through his own exhaustion during the outdoor workout. He also took some photos with passers by at the famed Santa Monica stairs, where many LA-area athletes come to train.

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

'I was really thinking, ''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, traded to the Jets last offseason after 18 years with the Green Bay Packers, was injured just four snaps into his debut with New York on September 11.

'I had this incredible offseason experience in a new city, in a new town, with new teammates, a new organization, an owner for the first time, and really falling back 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 yummy, and just incredible.

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

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

Rumors recently suggested 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 emerged claiming he has 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