Aaron Rodgers returns for the New York Jets against the San Francisco 49ers as quarterback, making his highly anticipated NFL return

Aaron Rodgers has arrived at Levi’s Stadium ahead of his highly anticipated return to the NFL on Monday Night Football.

Rodgers and the New York Jets will face the San Francisco 49ers in the quarterback’s first appearance since tearing his Achilles tendon in his debut last year.

A few hours before kick-off, the 40-year-old was seen on his way to the dressing room in Santa Clara.

The quarterback wore dark sunglasses and a cap that seemed to commemorate the start of his 20th season in the NFL.

Rodgers’ black Huega House cap featured the number 20 and what looked like a silhouette of Rodgers throwing a football.

Aaron Rodgers arrives at Levi’s Stadium ahead of his highly anticipated return to the NFL

The 40-year-old quarterback tore his Achilles tendon during his debut for the New York Jets in four plays

Before his first game back, Rodgers talked about his 12-month journey back to the field.

“It’s been a tough year. (But) at the same time, it’s probably been the best year of my life,” he told ESPN.

“When you are seriously injured, your whole life starts over again and everything just stops.”

The 40-year-old added: “You become sedentary, you can’t move, you have to have people serve you, you have to have people take care of you.”

Rodgers also spoke about the “life lesson” he learned from “just sitting there and all the frustration, sadness and heartache.” “But it was a total reset for my life and I’m so grateful for it.”

Rodgers thought his remarkable NFL career was over after suffering a nasty injury against the Buffalo Bills in the first week of the 2023 season.

“I went under and everything flashed before my eyes – the 18 years in Green Bay, the trade, the spring, the excitement, the summer, the city … and then I just thought, ‘This will be the last time.'”

“Because I know I’m old and rehab would be hard. In the training room I really thought, ‘Damn, is this how I’m going to die?'”