Play in the steering column when off-road?

I’ve had my 2019 GX for two years now and I notice that when I’m off pavement, it feels like there is some play in the steering column. It even occurs on something as subtle as a gravel road. I would describe it as a rattle that corresponds to uneven terrain, and it feels like the steering wheel and actual steering aren’t perfectly connected. Last time I was at the shop I got an alignment and asked them about it, but the mechanic couldn’t recreate it driving around the neighborhood.

Any ideas?