Aaron Rodgers revealed that he thought his career was over when he tore his Achilles in his first game with the New York Jets in September.

After 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers said the trade to the Jets restored his passion for the game. Over half a year after the injury, the 40-year-old revealed how his debut with the Jets went from one of the best to the worst moments in his career.

The quarterback appeared on the ‘I Can Fly’ podcast and detailed the emotions after his first season in New York ended within his first possession at MetLife Stadium.

‘I was really thinking, ‘This is it. You don’t come back from this injury,” he shared.

Before kickoff, Rodgers ran out to the field with the American flag during introductions. Minutes later, his debut and the Jets fans’ hopes were spoiled when a tackle from Buffalo’s Leonard Floyd led to his intro being his outro last season.

The 40-year-old joined the Jets after 18 seasons and a title with the Green Bay Packers

‘I had this incredible offseason experience in a new city, 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,’ he said. ‘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 made a spectacular recovery and, at one point, was thought to make an unprecedented return before the season came to a close. However, his comeback did not materialize as the Jets (7-10) fell out of contention.

Nearly seven months later, the four-time MVP and former Super Bowl champion is expected to participate in OTA practices next month. With his return looking certain, Rodgers opened up about the importance of having good people around him following the injury.

‘I said, ‘I need help. This is going to be really tough. I just need you all to be there for me on the tough days when I stop believing it’s possible,” Rodgers said. ‘It’s hard to ask for help.’

Although everything appeared dark at one point, Rodgers said he’s grateful for the many positives that occurred while away from the field.

Rodgers was thought to make a return but was put on hold when the Jets fell out of contention

‘As s**ty as it was — and it was the most heartbreaking thing that’s ever happened to me — all the miracles that happened along the way never would’ve happened,’ he said, adding that ‘so much changed’ in his life over the past six months.

Rodgers turns 41 in December but said he plans to play anywhere from two to four more years in the NFL. He also credited the ‘incredible angels’ who helped his rehab, including his physical therapist and his chef, for helping him become a ‘better version’ of himself.

‘I’m excited about playing again,’ he said. ‘I love playing. I fell back in love with the game and then I had it taken away after four plays. I miss being out there, I love competing.

‘Football is my happy place. That’s where I feel most in control of my athletic ability. I missed that last year, I really, really missed it. My heart was broken. I’m excited about taking the field one more time and — not life or death — going to battle with my guys.’