Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph didn't know each other when the Pittsburgh Steelers opened training camp in July. Seemingly, the only bond they had then was that they were both quarterbacks.

Rodgers came to the Steelers as a free agent after spending 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the past two with the New York Jets. He will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer with a resume that includes four NFL MVP awards, four All-Pro selections, and 10 Pro Bowl appearances.

Rudolph has been a backup throughout his seven-year career. He spent his first five seasons with the Steelers from 2019-23, then returned to Pittsburgh as a free agent this past offseason following a one-year stint with the Tennessee Titans.

Yet the superstar and the journeyman have bonded this season and become fast friends.

"He makes every day so much fun," Rodgers said of Rudolph. "I told him this, I said, 'Thanks for making this fun.' We joke in the quarterback room. He's got a checklist of the jokes he's got to get off out of his brain every single day. But he's hilarious, and I really enjoy our time together in the room in here, outside the facility. He's a great backup, he's super helpful during the week, he's a professional, he's ready to play, he's a gamer."

At times, Rudolph almost must pinch himself as he grew up watching Rodgers play for the Packers. Now 30, Rudolph was 10 when Rodgers made his NFL debut in 2005. So, last Sunday's win over the Cincinnati Bengals was extra special for Rudolph, who played the second half after Rodgers sustained a minor fracture in his left wrist late in the second quarter.

"(If) 14-year-old me knew that I was getting a nice dap from A-Rod after a game, it'd be pretty darn exciting," Rudolph said. "He's very kind and complimentary."

Rudolph may have to substitute for Rodgers on Sunday when the Steelers (6-4) visit the Chicago Bears (7-3) at Soldier Field. Rodgers is listed as questionable on the injury report, and his status for the game likely won't be determined until after warmups.

Rodgers is no longer an idol for Rudolph but a friend. The type of famous friend that Rudolph can bust on.

"We've got a good, healthy banter, all of us in the quarterback room, each and every day, and it's been one of the most fun rooms I've ever been a part of," Rudolph said. "We keep it light. He's got a lot of material out there for me to use, so he's at a bit of a disadvantage, because I don't have the paparazzi waiting outside my house in Malibu every day."