Kyle Fuller agreed to terms six days after he was drafted. (USATSI)

The Texans are 4-5 and in second place in the AFC South. They're not out of the playoff picture, and they rank 10th in league in offense. They're basically what most other teams in this league are -- not great, not terrible and, if they got hot, they could make a run at the playoffs.

Though Ryan Fitzpatrick has always been a journeyman quarterback, he actually has amassed the best quarterback rating of his 10-year career this season (87.1), and even without much the usual contributions from standout receiver Andre Johnson, Houston has performed (slightly) above expectations.

So, why did coach Bill O'Brien announce Wednesday that he's demoting Fitzpatrick and elevating career backup Ryan Mallett into the No. 1 roster spot?

"I just felt like [it's] in the best interest of the team," O'Brien said. "This is the decision I needed to make."

No matter what you think about the move, it's clear this is Mallett's best chance to prove he can start in this league. Here are four thoughts about O'Brien's decision.

1) Mallett spent the first three years of his career as Tom Brady's backup in New England (where he first worked in O'Brien's system), and though he's looked mostly awful whenever he's had the chance to play -- mostly in the preseason -- the Texans believed in him enough to trade for him in the preseason.

O'Brien's decision, then, can't be considered a surprise. We knew Fitzpatrick would start the season, and assuming he played poorly, trying out Mallett next makes sense. Especially since O'Brien says he's been impressed with Mallett's improved work ethic and maturity. And though most of Brady's apprentices haven't been impressive once they've left the comforts of New England, maybe Brian Hoyer makes O'Brien believe Mallett can match that production.

But ...

2) Does Fitzpatrick deserve to lose his job?

According to his statistics, probably not. He's completed 61.8 percent of his passes this season for 1,960 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Not great, but maybe not enough to cause one to be demoted.

But those who watch him every day aren't lamenting this move.

3) Mallett believes in himself. Though he had an infamously horrendous meeting with the press at the 2011 NFL combine, he says he's learned how to be a pro.

Also ...

4) Did the Texans make a mistake not drafting a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick?

After all, Jadeveon Clowney has missed every game since injuring his knee in Week 1, and there have been reports, since disputed by O'Brien, that the organization is growing frustrated with Clowney. Besides, many observers figured that with Fitzpatrick, Mallett and rookie Tom Savage on the roster that the offense would struggle.

The answer to the above question: probably not.

While the rookie quarterbacks who have started this year have played decently, none (with the possible exception of Blake Bortles) probably deserved to go that high. Not with a once-in-a-decade player in Clowney waiting to be drafted.

But here's why I can dig O'Brien's move. You knew Fitzpatrick wasn't the future, and it's a decent bet that Mallett will prove that he isn't either. But by giving Mallett the second half of the season to prove himself, maybe he'll show that he can be the next franchise quarterback. If not, Houston will get another chance to draft a quarterback in 2015.

Really, at this point, what's the harm in giving Mallett the chance?

“This might be the thing that helps our team,” O’Brien said. “I might be wrong. ... We are not asking him to go out there and be Tom Brady. We’re asking him to be Ryan Mallett.”