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Bengals OC Hue Jackson takes blame for Andy Dalton's struggles

Aaron Doster / USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is coming off yet another disappointing season, but offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is doing his best to shoulder some of the blame this time around.

Speaking with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, Jackson explained that he needs to do more in helping the Bengals' young signal caller.

"I don't think I did a good enough job of getting him to where I think he needs to be," Jackson said, according to Coley Harvey of ESPN. "That's one of my biggest responsibilities in my mind this upcoming year."

Dalton has led the Bengals to postseason appearances in each of his first four seasons, but he's still yet to come away with a playoff win. Despite struggling when it matters most, Jackson remains confident that his quarterback has what it takes to produce at a consistent level in the NFL.

"I really believe it's there. But the consistency of doing it week in and week out, the pressure of doing it versus some very good football teams week in and week out is the next step for us. I know a lot of people say, 'Well, how can that be? You're heading into your fifth year?' Well, sometimes that's a process for a quarterback."

While the 27-year-old would benefit from an addition to the receiving corps this offseason, he'll need to show some significant improvement in his own game either way.

If Dalton can't lead the club to a playoff win at some point in the near future, the Bengals will certainly find themselves re-thinking the six-year, $115-million deal they gave him to be their franchise player this past August.

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