San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been brutal this season. There is no denying that fact.

Kaepernick has been held under 175 passing yards in three out of four games to start the season and has failed to record a passing touchdown in three of four games. Most of Kaepernick’s production this season came in garbage time against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 43 to 18 schooling in Week 2.

Just two seasons ago, Kaepernick was considered the 49ers franchise quarterback and one of the league’s best young stars after taking over for the ultimate game manager, Alex Smith, and leading his team to a close Super Bowl loss in 2012

His play this season, however, has many wondering what backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert could do if given a shot at running the offense. Is it really that bad for San Francisco?

The Analtyics

While it sounds like a crazy idea to bench a player considered to be the franchise quarterback for a player considered to be a first round bust, is it the right call?

Delving into Kaepernick’s Passing Torrey Smith was supposed to give Kaepernick the deep threat the 49ers have been lacking to play alongside ageless wide receiver Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis.

The departure of running back Frank Gore to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason opened the door for running back Carlos Hyde to take over early down work with running back Reggie Bush playing passing downs. After exploding for 168 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in a Week 1 win over the Minnesota Vikings, Hyde has been held in check. Hyde missed portions of Week 2 with injury, and game flow hindered Hyde’s production in Week 3.

Smith, Boldin, and Davis have made a few plays as pass catchers, but none have been the reliable producers Kaepernick needs. Davis left Week 3 with a knee injury and was inactive Week 4. Bush missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a calf injury. Kaepernick’s offensive weapons have yet to complete a full game without missing time.

Smith has just 17 targets on the year, but his Reception NEP per target (1.01) ranks fifth among 78 receivers with at least 15 targets on the year. He's been efficient when catching the ball, but his catch rate (52.94%, 59th in the group) continues to plague his ability to contribute consistently.

Boldin's Reception NEP per target (0.55) ranks 53rd among those receivers, and his catch rate (57.69%, 50th in the group) isn't much better than Smith's.

Davis has had a minor resurgence in terms of efficiency, as his Reception NEP per target (0.69) ranks ninth among 23 tight ends with at least 15 targets. Again, though, a poor catch rate (53.33%, 20th in the group) limits his impact.

As inconsistent as the offensive unit has been through four weeks, the 49ers defense, as expected, is no longer dominant. San Francisco’s defense currently ranks 26th in points per game allowed at 27.5 and 23rd in yards per game at allowed 377.2. They rank 28th in the league in Adjusted Defensive NEP per play.

Without a dominating defense to rely on, Kaepernick has been unable to find ways to outscore opponents. The defense was solid in Week 4, holding the Green Bay Packers to just 17 points and quarterback Aaron Rodgers to 224 passing yards and 1 touchdown.

Time for a Turnaround?

At 1-3 the 49ers aren’t officially done yet, but they down own a league-worst 1.1% chance to make the playoffs, according to our algorithms.

First year head coach Jim Tomsula has to find a way for his quarterback to regain some semblance to his form from two seasons ago.

The 49ers are on the road this week facing the New York Giants in a winnable Sunday Night Football matchup. At this point, the odds of Kaepernick turning around his disappointing start are greater than the chances of Gabbert resurrecting his career in San Francisco.

For now the 49ers have to stick with Kaepernick, but with another loss or two behind horrible quarterback play, they will have to turn the reigns over to Gabbert if only to see what he can do.