An old college rivalry won’t stop Aaron Rodgers from doing whatever he can to get back into shape for the Jets.
The 40-year-old quarterback was spotted running steps and working out with members of the USC football team in a Los Angeles area neighborhood, according to photos and video obtained by The Post.
Wearing sunglasses and what appears to be white compression leggings underneath his blue shorts, Rodgers was encouraging others to push through the workout with fist bumps and clapping, eventually sitting on the curb for a water break and to stretch out his body with a hand placed on his right knee.
Rodgers, who played his college football at California, is working his way back from a torn Achilles in his left leg suffered on Sept. 11, in the opening minutes of his first game with the Jets.
The four-time NFL MVP practiced on a limited basis in late December and early January, but the Jets’ inability to stay in the playoff hunt nixed Rodgers’ rehab-defying plan to play in games again before the end of the regular season as the team finished 7-10.
The Jets begin the voluntary portion of their offseason program Monday, and it is unknown if Rodgers will be in the facility.
The first two-week-long phase is focused on strength and conditioning workouts and meetings.
Rodgers was a frequent attendee throughout last spring’s voluntary program, but that could have been because he was meeting new teammates and establishing a leadership presence.
He was not a regular late in his 18-year tenure with the Packers.
By the time the Jets take the field for the first of their 10 organized team activities on May 20, Rodgers will be about eight months removed from surgery and should be at or close to 100 percent.
Head coach Robert Saleh said recently that Rodgers is expected to participate in those non-contact practices.
Rodgers shared earlier this week that he initially feared that his torn Achilles would end his career.
“I was really thinking, ‘This is it. You don’t come back from this injury,’” Rodgers said on the “I Can Fly” podcast.
Rodgers has been vocal about the 2024 comeback season not being his last, eyeing as many as four more seasons.
“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.”
Tom Brady played until he was 45 years old by keeping himself in remarkable shape.
If Rodgers is planning to do the same, every little workout counts.
