New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers thought his career was over after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury against the Buffalo Bills just minutes into last season, to the point where he wondered in the training room post-injury about how he potentially just went out to close his career.

Rodgers made his remarks in a sitdown interview with ESPN's Alex Smith, who asked the 40-year-old about his memories from Sept. 11, 2023, when the four-time MVP made his first appearance with Gang Green following an incredible amount of fanfare on an emotional evening in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

"It's kind of a blur, honestly...I knew when I was on the ground that something was wrong. And sometimes you get drilled, and you know something's off and you hope you get up. And it kind of, like, shakes itself out sometimes...

"But when I stood up, I said, 'ugh.' I knew it, you know, and i just went down. And everything flashing before your eyes. The 18 years in Green Bay, the trade, the spring, the excitement, the summer, the city, Hard Knocks, running on the field with the flag for the first time, 9/11. Yeah, and then just thinking that's gonna be the last time. Because you know, I'm old. And the rehab I knew was going to be tough. And so, in the training room, I really thought, 'Damn, that's how I'm going to go out?'

Rodgers is back, though, after a lengthy rehab process. He'll start for the Jets on Monday Night Football at the San Francisco 49ers.

Some elite quarterbacks have ended their careers on high notes. John Elway won two Super Bowls to cap his tremendous 15-year pro stretch. Joe Montana overcame injuries that cost him two seasons to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to back-to-back playoff appearances in his final two years. And Peyton Manning won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos.

Other signal-callers have not been nearly as lucky. Brett Favre suffered a concussion that ended his 2010 season, which would be his last. Johnny Unitas struggled as a member of the San Diego Chargers. Dan Marino's Miami Dolphins lost 62-7 in a playoff game to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Rodgers clearly thought about his football mortality and whether his career was over on that September night in New Jersey. But rehab went well, to the point where there was even a weekly talking point last season on whether he could come back should the team make the playoffs.

That didn't happen, but Rodgers has a second chance at a new beginning with the Jets, who are looking to end a 13-year stint outside the playoffs. If Rodgers returns to his pre-injury form, that can certainly happen given an uber-talented defense, a retooled offensive line and a pair of offensive superstars in Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.

We'll see how it all turns out soon enough on Monday evening when the Jets visit San Francisco to kick off the 17-game campaign.