idk but Rodgers seemed unhappy being asked questions about Mario for much of the past few pressers. Looks like Pascoe is being asked a similar line as well.
It has happened before (last season I think). I think it's just a lesser competition (sorry to you purists but it is), so generally it provides a chance for people to step up who weren't previously involved in the same way.
We know this about the squad (Brad Jones, Lucas, Rossiter etc.) but maybe it's the same with staff.
Maybe Pascoe has aspirations of being a no.1 somewhere eventually, and Rodgers being his mate has said, 'go on, you do this one'.