AARON Rodgers is poised to make his much-anticipated return for the New York Jets in prime time.

The Jets will open the 2024 season by traveling to Levi’s Stadium to take on the San Francisco 49ers for a Monday Night Football game on September 9.

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It marks the second successive season that Rodgers and the Jets will start their season on MNF.

Last year, the Jets took on the Buffalo Bills under the lights to herald Rodgers’ move to New York after a lengthy spell at the Green Bay Packers.

But Rodgers’ debut lasted just four snaps when he tore his Achilles against the Bills.

The veteran quarterback was forced to watch the remainder of the campaign from the sidelines.

He is now scheduled to make his return in a tough matchup against the defending NFC champions and their rising star Brock Purdy.

Rodgers is a big fan of his counterpart at the 49ers.

“I’m a fan, for sure,” Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show.

“I think he’s done some great things.”

Rodgers added that Purdy is far more than a system quarterback as he has been labeled.

“It’s hard to play in this league,” Rodgers added.

“Brock has done some great things, and at some point, people are going to be like, ‘OK, well, maybe it’s not just that Kyle [Shanahan’s] a great play caller, and he’s got these weapons.’

“But you still got a guy who’s got to pull the trigger every single time and make decisions.

“And I watched the game a couple of weeks ago, and I thought he made like three or four really high-level throws.

“Back-shoulder throws, and tight-window throws, and a couple of look-offs.

“So, I got nothing but praise for Brock and respect for the way he’s played.”

In a twist of fate, the 49ers signed Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd in the offseason. 

Rodgers ruptured his Achilles after being sacked by Floyd at the MetLife Stadium last year.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh recently revealed that Rodgers will practice without any restrictions later this month. 

“The guy can still sling it,” Saleh told reporters. 

“Obviously, he’s still working through his rehab, but there are no issues on the trajectory on which he’s going.”

Once Rodgers is back to full strength, he’ll be working alongside a number of fresh-faced teammates.

The Jets went offense-heavy in the NFL Draft, bringing in offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu 11th overall out of Penn State.

Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley was added in the third round before Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen joined the mix in the fourth.

Quarterback Jordan Travis was drafted in the fifth round to back up Rodgers, following the departure of Zach Wilson who was traded to the Denver Broncos this offseason.

The running back room acquired another new weapon in South Dakota State’s Isaiah Davis that same round before the focus turned to defense with cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers out of the CFL.

With the final pick of the draft, safety Jaylen Key was brought in, earning him the title of Mr. Irrelevant.

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