Andy Dalton is bad news for the Steelers.

Not because the “Red Rifle” has carved up the Pittsburgh defense with his arm. It has nothing to do with what the Cincinnati quarterback has done on the field.

It’s because of what happened off it this week.

The Bengals cracked open the safe and dumped $96 million at Dalton’s feet.

Yes, that Andy Dalton, the Andy Dalton who is 0-3 in the playoffs, the Andy Dalton who has one postseason touchdown pass and six postseason interceptions.

That Andy Dalton is now making more scratch per year than Ben Roethlisberger, who has two Super Bowl rings and is arguably (well, forget that, there is no argument) better at everything that goes into being a QB than Dalton.

The Steelers decided to table contract extension talks with Big Ben until the end of the season.

If Roethisberger turns in another stellar campaign and the team around him is finally good enough to break a string of 8-8s and get back into the playoffs, his asking price is going to be huge.

Of course, a lot can happen this season.

The Steelers are one of those teams that are hard to gauge. They could be good. But they also could be bad.

What they are would certainly affect Ben’s price tag when negotiations start up again as the QB heads into the final year of his existing deal.

Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Steelers this season.

Best-case scenario: Roethlisberger stays healthy and takes every snap as he did in 2013. Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount form one of the most potent 1-2 running punches in the NFL.

The offensive line jells with a healthy Markice Pouncey back in top form. David DeCastro also blocks the opposition instead of Pouncey’s knee.

The receivers around Antonio Brown blossom. Martavis Bryant proves to be a steal and offers Roethlisberger the big target outside that he had coveted for years.

The young linebacking corps excels, led by second-year-man Jarvis Jones and rookie Ryan Shazier.

The Steelers go 12-4, win the AFC North and make a Super Bowl run.

Worst-case scenario: Roethlisberger can’t stay healthy and Bruce Gradkowski has to play a chunk of the season. Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount are ineffective behind a porous line and DeCastro takes out Pouncey’s other knee on the opening drive of the season.

Antonio Brown is the only reliable receiver and catches 150 passes for 1,000 yards. Bryant is a bust and the team actually misses ancient Jerricho Cotchery.

The defense shows its age and the young linebackers can’t grasp Dick LeBeau’s complicated scheme.

The Steelers go 4-12 and miss the playoffs, ushering in a full-blown rebuilding mode and a house cleaning in the offseason.

Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.