Play in steering

I've seen a few threads regarding this but not with the same symptoms I'm experiencing. This past time we had our 01 SAN out the steering seemed like it had a TON of play, like maybe 20 degrees of slop either direction before the rudder would engage. The crazy thing is this seemed to have developed out of thin air. It wasn't like that the previous outing a little over a week ago. When the rudder DOES engage it doesn't require a ton of effort. Usually cable failure means it gets harder to steer, at least that's been my experience.

I have replaced the cable before but only once, maybe 5 or 6 years back. It doesn't seem to me like it should be the cable, but I know it's usually the culprit. I'm wondering if the steering pinion could be a contributor? I've read in a few places that the pinion design has been changed a little to now include a bearing?

Any ideas? Thanks.

While we were on the water I had someone turn the wheel while I watched the block. The cable didn't move in it, nor did anything appear abnormal with the pitman arm. I'm suspect something has gone awry at the helm?