Jets' Aaron Rodgers Prepared for 'Emotional' Moment in Return Monday

At the height of his NFL journey, Aaron Rodgers was one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever walk the planet.

After his torn Achilles suffered in his debut with the New York Jets, though, the then-39-year-old quarterback was questioned where his playing days were done.

In turn, the Jets were concerned that their big push to be competitive after a 13-year playoff drought had ended before it even began. Following Rodgers' injury, New York suffered their eighth straight losing season at a 7-10 finish.

As he prepares for his

“With all the ups and downs last year, there’s going to be a lot of appreciation for being able to be back on the field," Rodgers said. "There were definitely thoughts after it happened that it was going to be it, so to go back on the field will be a sweet and emotional moment for me.”

Rodgers is more reflective than ever as he approaches his 20th NFL season, due to his search for a second Lombardi Trophy, and to prove to the rest of the league that he can be exactly what the Jets were hoping to acquire.

Reflective takes you only so far, though, and in the case of the Jets, Rodgers' mere presence isn't enough for them to end the decade-long futility they have endured.

Related: 49ers Praise Jets' Breece Hall Before Matchup

Should they be able to upset the San Francisco 49ers, though, the Jets could be in a position to finally prove they mean business this year. Noone would be more happy about that than Rodgers either.