Following the Steelers' first practice of OTAs today at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Mason Rudolph stepped into a scrum of reporters as the team's No. 1 quarterback on the roster. With that comes a lot of questions, not only on this opportunity, but also with the ever-present situation with Aaron Rodgers.

This was Rudolph ...

• On his mindset as the final phase of the offseason program begins: 

"The same way I always have. Just control what I can control, throw the ball well, lead the guys and play well when I get the chance to."

• On learning from Arthur Smith and his offense:

"He's very detail-oriented. He's a very good teacher. In the install room, he's been very clear to guys. Obviously, you guys know he loves to pound the rock, play-action, but he's also got a great collection of good drop-back pass concepts that I like and fits my game. It's been fun working with him."

• On hearing the constant noise about Rodgers and not knowing what position he'll have on the depth chart when the season begins:

"That's nothing new to me. There's been constant noise. That's the nature of the NFL. I've been used to that for a long time now. I do nothing but be the best I can be and help our team get better this spring."

• On if he's worked with DK Metcalf this offseason and how that's gone:

"Yeah. He was here probably half the time during phase one and two (of the offseason). ... He's an unbelievable athlete. We all knew that from watching the tape and watching him from across the league. I thought his wanting to learn, his questions, he's inquisitive, he's very intelligent, very articulate. He seems like a low-ego guy. He's been paid a lot. He's been very successful, but he's very hungry to improve."

• On why he wanted to return to the Steelers:

"I just think it's a special place. I've got a lot of great friends and teammates here. A lot of comfortability with Mike (Tomlin) and the staff. Omar (Khan has) put together a great roster. Who wouldn't want to be a part of this team, this offense? It's been fun being back."

• What clicked in 2023 and how can he get it to click again?

"We won games down the stretch there at an important time. I just think we played complementary football. The more time I spend in the NFL, you learn it takes complementary football -- special teams, offense, defense. (Tomlin) put the statistics up today, the last two years we were No. 2 and No. 3 in turnover margin here. That comes from the culture that Mike T's created with ball search and ball security. That's something we're all working towards."

• On the Steelers being proactive in approaching him in free agency:

"It's great. I've been part of where you jump on the moving train late in the spring and you're also here from the jump. I've learned to adapt to both, but it's obviously good to be wanted, yes."

• On if he learned anything from his experience with the Titans:

"Just perspective and experience. A different staff, a different team. A lot of adversity, but a lot of good lessons to learn."

• On what he hopes to get out of the next three weeks:

"I hope to just improve and communicate with Arthur and the offense. Learn what I like in the concepts. It's just getting timing down this time of year. Routine, timing, who do we like where, who runs what concept the best. That kind of thing."