AirPods 4NC connection issues

My iPhone 13 recognizes my AirPods 4NC and connects but will not let me select them in the airplay menu as the audio output.

what I have attempted:

I have tried forgetting the connection and resetting the AirPods

iPhone resets.

Updated to Newest iOS 26.1

I tested AirPods on my roommates iPhone 15 and had no issues there.

I borrowed my roommates AirPods Pro2 and was able to get the audio selected on my iPhone

The AirPods work on other Bluetooth devices such as table and tv outputs

additional info: when I try and select the AirPods as audio output, it tries to connect but goes back to iPhone audio.