The much-anticipated Kenny Pickett era begins Sunday in Buffalo when the Steelers take on the Bills at 1 p.m.

The question is, how long with this era last?

Many people seem go be assuming that Pickett will be Pittsburgh’s quarterback for the next decade or longer, returning the franchise to NFL prominence at some point along the way. After all, that’s the way it worked out for Ben Roethlisberger.

But in the words of renowned college football analyst Lee Corso: Not so fast, my friends.

Pickett may very well prove to be the real deal for the Steelers. But we need to take a wait-and-see approach here. That’s not being pessimistic, simply realistic.

It’s likely going to take some time before the Steelers realize whether they hit on their next franchise quarterback here — or whiffed.

Just look at the five quarterbacks chosen in the first round by NFL teams in the 2021 draft. Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville, Zach Wilson with the Jets, Trey Lance with the 49ers, Justin Fields with the Bears and Mac Jones with New England ... these guys are in their second season in the league.

Lance is hurt and out for the year. Lawrence is making progress. Wilson, Fields and Jones, the jury remains out on whether they are the answer for their respective teams.

Landing a franchise QB isn’t an easy thing to do.

The Packers took Jordan Love in the first round in 2020. He’s still sitting behind Aaron Rodgers. Will Love eventually succeed this sure-fire Hall of Famer? Who knows?

The Jets drafted Sam Darnold in the first round in 2018. He’s now backing up in Carolina — for Baker Mayfield, who the Browns picked No. 1 overall in that 2018 draft, only to pull the plug on him four years later.

The Cardinals selected Josh Rosen in the first round in 2018. He’s bounced around as a backup quarterback since and his pro career is on life support now. The Bears picked Mitch Trubisky No. 2 overall in 2017. We all know where he is now.

Carson Wentz and Paxton Lynch were first-round quarterback selections in 2016. Wentz is on his third team now and Lynch actually wound up as a quarterback in the Steelers organization, seemingly in the witness protection program, because no one ever saw him play here.

Remember Blake Bortles, who recently retired, Johnny Manziel and E.J. Manuel? All were first -round draft picks at quarterback within the past 10 years. All were viewed as franchise quarterbacks.

None made it.

Kenny Pickett’s time has arrived. Hopefully, he pans out and he’s here for a long time, becoming the same success story in town as a pro that he became in college.

But there are no guarantees.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle