We might just have a difference in philosophy, personally I don't think the Akili/Leaf/Klingler's failed because they got thrown to the wolves. I think they failed because QB is a extremely difficult position that takes a rare player to be successful.
I look at what the Jaguars are doing this year and hope that we can mirror what they have been able to accomplish next season. Last year they start Leftwhich (sp?) in replace of the ineffective Brunell. Leftwhich takes his lumps, the team shows slow progress, and because of the experience Leftwhich got his team was ready to unite behind him at the start of this year.
You can then look at Carson Palmer as a alternative. Palmer gets no time last season and is named the starter for this year. While he is beginning to come around it's no surprise to me that its happening 7-8 games into the season. Game experience is allowing him to improve and actually be the leader of the Bengals. This is what I want JP to be able to get out of the way in what has already become a lost season.
This philosophy is not 100% and plenty of quarterbacks take different paths to success. As a side note I agree that Mathews would probably give us the best chance at winning this season, but to me doing whatever we can to increase our chances next year is more important then finishing 6-10, 7-9, or 8-8 this year.