QB Mason Rudolph discusses if Aaron Rodgers 'quizzes' were controversial with Steelers

A story from December 2022 detailed how then-Green Bay Packers players found it a bit "nerve-racking" that quarterback Aaron Rodgers took to "quizzing" teammates about the numerous hand signals he used during games and about other aspects of the offense. 

More recently, Rodgers and backup signal-caller Mason Rudolph were teammates as members of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2025 season. On the latest edition of "The Justin Time Podcast," Rudolph discussed the pop quizzes administered by Rodgers throughout the campaign. 

How Aaron Rodgers tried to get Steelers players on the same page

"He took the initiative to have the guys over each and every Tuesday," Rudolph said about film-study sessions led by Rodgers, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "...He would pop quiz the room. 'What did you think about their starting cornerback on the left side this week? Does he travel? What are their top three coverages so far you've seen out of nickel defense? Out of base defense?' He wouldn't rake you over the coals if you got the wrong answer that early in the week, but he sort of set the precedent where he wanted guys to start watching tape on their own."

For what it's worth, Rodgers seemed to be a popular figure among Steelers players from the time he signed his contract in June 2025 through Pittsburgh's wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Texans this past January. A February report revealed that numerous Pittsburgh teammates made it known during their end-of-campaign exit meetings that they wanted the future Hall of Famer to serve as the club's starter next season. 

Rodgers hadn't publicly confirmed his intentions for the 2026 season as of early Wednesday afternoon, but reports have indicated that the Steelers expect he'll eventually re-sign with the team. 

Steelers players impressed by "homework" Aaron Rodgers completed

"He was coming in Wednesday morning with an ultra-high level of understanding," Rudolph added about Rodgers. "He had self-scouted ourselves the last few games. What are some tendencies maybe [that] were showing up on film? And he had done a lot of homework before he got in there."

Tales such as the one shared by Rudolph help explain to outsiders why the Steelers seem eager to run it back with a 42-year-old quarterback who may prove to be a shell of his former great self by the time the 2026 season wraps up. That said, it remains unknown when Rodgers will finally let the Steelers and others know if he will once again wear Pittsburgh colors this coming fall.