Dan Quinn just made Commanders' stance on Brandon Coleman crystal clear

The Washington Commanders decided to give their offensive line a major shake-up heading into Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a risky strategy, but one that ended up paying off handsomely.

Andrew Wylie switched to right guard at the expense of Nick Allegretti, who was active but went to the bench. Things were even bleaker for Brandon Coleman, who was listed as a healthy scratch as Chris Paul got an opportunity to flourish at the left guard spot.

Paul was almost flawless, displaying accomplished pass protection and outstanding capabilities on running plays. The protection in front of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota ensured Jayden Daniels' absence wasn't sorely felt. The Commanders won the game comfortably, and everything is now looking up once again.

Brandon Coleman faces a long road back after Commanders benching

That does nothing to improve Coleman's outlook. His leash was shorter than fans initially thought, and the Commanders' drastic action should serve as a wake-up call to the 2024 third-round pick. All hope is not lost by any stretch of the imagination, but this position is Paul's until further notice.

Dan Quinn brought clarity to Coleman's predicament. He stated that it remains a fluid situation, but the competition for places gives them the freedom to pick the best players. Those who are performing well will be rewarded, but the TCU product has not yet met the required standards.

We’re still in the early days here to get going and competition’s part of who we are in all ways, in all shapes and sizes. So, inside at guard, ‘Hey, we’re going to go a different way.’Dan Quinn via The Athletic

The gauntlet has been laid down to Coleman. Either make the strides needed, or he'll remain on the fringes moving forward.

It's that simple.

This should provoke a positive response from Coleman. He displayed the correct resolve last season during his rollercoaster rookie campaign on the blindside. He coped well with switching to the interior over the summer. While it didn't translate to a competitive regular-season setting, he's got the physical tools needed to be part of the team's long-term strategy.

Sometimes, young players need a little time to breathe. They need to be taken out of the firing line for some added perspective. They need some extra time to develop their craft. That's the route Washington has taken with Coleman, but it's way too soon to be writing him off just yet.

However, if Paul keeps up this level of performance, it could be a long time before Coleman sees the field again.