Ridiculously poor treatment. If you're not going to start him and he's not in your plans, you cut him. I am shocked that the Mara's will let this happen to Eli. You don't bench someone that won you 2 superbowls and someone who has been a 13 year starter.
Except if they cut him, he goes through waivers. Better for him to be cut after the season and let him choose his destination. More "respectful" if you want to call it that. Otherwise he'll be playing for the Browns and under contract.
No longer the member of any fan clubs. I'm tired of jinxing players out of the league and into obscurity.