EJ was drafted for his potential, IMO, not the QB he was at the time he left FSU. I doubt he was meant to start right out of the gate. It was a poor year for QBs, and Geno is a brick with limited upside, so... They also swung another pick out of the deal, which makes EJ, Woods, and Kiko a decent haul for what equaled the Bills first and second round pick prior to the trade.
IMO, benching EJ is as much about salvaging the season in a down year in the AFCE as it is about not destroying the last shred of confidence he has. Due to his own inexperience and our OL's shoddy play, SD's and Houston's D mauled him... what would throwing him to the Lions prove? Orton is Fitz is Kolb. A placeholder/benchmark to measure progress. If EJ can't develop beyond that benchmark, they move on from him, but to say they've moved on after 14 games, when most considered him raw from the start... I doubt it.
Also, good luck recruiting talent in the future, Fisher, if it's that important for you to be able to say I told you so when your players fail. Total dick move.