PITTSBURGH — “Steelers history for $1,000, Alex.”

Cliff Stoudt. Mark Malone. David Woodley. Scott Campbell. Bubby Brister. Steve Bono. Reggie Collier. Todd Blackledge. Rick Strom. Neil O’Donnell. Mike Tomczak. Jim Miller. Kordell Stewart. Mike Quinn. Pete Gonzalez. Kent Graham. Tommy Maddox. Charlie Batch.

“Who were the quarterbacks between Terry Bradshaw’s final game in 1983 and Ben Roethlisberger’s first game in 2004?”

The long list is frightening, isn’t it? I like to think I’ll see another franchise quarterback in town after Ben Roethlisberger during my lifetime, but there are no guarantees. Ask Cleveland Browns fans.

Ben’s talk of possible retirement after last season is telling. I believe he will fulfill his contract by playing three more seasons. But he won’t commit to playing beyond this year. This could be it.

The Steelers had better win soon if they’re going to get a third Super Bowl during the Roethlisberger era.

This season.

It’s the Steelers’ best chance in years. Better than last season when they lost at New England in the AFC championship game without injured Le’Veon Bell for most of the night. Better than the year before when they lost at Denver without Bell and Antonio Brown. Better than in 2014.

I’m assuming Bell, Brown and Ben will be healthy this season. That includes Bell’s bruised ego from his failed negotiations with the team over a long-term contract. He might skip training camp as a show of protest and to avoid unnecessary injury risk, but he’ll be ready to go for the opening game at Cleveland Sept. 10. He’ll learn to live with the $12.12 million the Steelers are paying him this season.

I know, good health for a football team is a big assumption. Injuries could disrupt the Steelers’ chances, but that’s true of just about any team. How good would Dallas be without Dak Prescott or Ezekiel Elliott? Green Bay without Aaron Rodgers? New England without Tom Brady?

You’re right, the Patriots still probably would find a way to win. They made it to a sixth consecutive AFC championship game last season and went on to win Super Bowl LI without Rob Gronkowski, the best tight end in NFL history.

But hang with me.

Add Martavis Bryant to the Big Three and a strong offensive line and the Steelers could have the best offense in franchise history.

The defense plans to be “great,” but it just needs to be good. Cam Heyward will be back. Dupree will be available from the start. Ryan Shazier is on the verge of stardom. The defense will be much-improved.

I really like these Steelers. So do the wise guys in Vegas. They’ve made the Steelers the second-betting choice to come out of the AFC and make it to Super Bowl LII.

But it might be a lot harder to like the Steelers next season and for many years after that.

You don’t need to be reminded how hard it is to find a franchise quarterback. All you have to do is think back to those 20 long years between Bradshaw and Ben.

I don’t know about you. I’m not ready for 20 more.

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