How the AFC champion Chiefs were built

For the second straight year, the Kansas City Chiefs are in the Super Bowl.

The AFC champions look similar to last year's squad on the back of Patrick Mahomes and an explosive offense, but a few alterations - some forced and some not - have Andy Reid and Co. back in the big game.

Here's how the Chiefs built the team that could be on the verge of establishing a dynasty:

Key players

Continuity is key

In a league featuring great parity, Kansas City stands above the rest. A handful of recent Super Bowl qualifiers have failed to make the playoffs the following year, let alone back to the championship game. The New England Patriots are the only example of this level of sustained success.

The Chiefs are likely going to continue its run for years to come. Seven of 11 offensive starters hold their same spot in the lineup from last year's win over the San Francisco 49ers, as well as 10 of 11 defensive starters. Most of the changes to Mahomes' supporting cast were forced due to injuries or opt-outs.

It's difficult to dominate two consecutive campaigns with a similar roster, but KC simply features too much talent at key positions. Meanwhile, the team retained offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and DC Steve Spagnuolo - and somehow will again in 2021. There's plenty of tape on the Chiefs, but possessing this many dynamic players and coaches is difficult to defend.

Reid took his chess game one step further in 2020. There were contests, especially early in the campaign, where Kansas City appeared to be employing a simplified version of its playbook. The club still succeeded and saved key plays for big games. Pretty genius.

Mahomes' extension alters roster construction

Back in March, the Chiefs had just $177 - that's 177 dollars - in cap space. Thanks to exceptional work from general manager Brett Veach, the defending champs were still able to sign Mahomes to a record $503-million deal, retain key players long term, and add new pieces.

The reigning Super Bowl MVP's contract is actually quite team-friendly, as he carries a 2020 cap hit of just $5.35 million. The first five years of the agreement are essentially guaranteed before the cash begins to rise. It also features rolling guarantees and bonuses vesting before they're due to help alleviate salary concerns.

Star defensive tackle Chris Jones was next. Instead of playing on the franchise tag, Kansas City inked him to an extension to keep both parties happy and save money. Travis Kelce followed, adding four years to his contract in July without any new money for the 2020 season.

These moves and restructures from a few players, most notably wide receiver Sammy Watkins, gave the Chiefs just enough wiggle room to keep their roster in tact - a significant factor in why they find themselves competing for a second straight Lombardi Trophy.

Young guns round out defense

Despite primarily drafting later in rounds, KC came away with a handful of impactful defensive picks over the last two years. Chief among these is 2019 second-round safety Juan Thornhill, who missed Super Bowl LIV after tearing his ACL but has stepped up as a deep-lying playmaker this postseason. He's allowing just 33% of his targets to be caught in coverage over his last five games.

Cornerback L'Jarius Sneed and linebacker Willie Gay Jr. stand out from the 2020 class. Sneed has stepped in nicely for a fourth-round selection out of Louisiana Tech, providing stout coverage outside and in the slot. He leads all rookie defensive backs, allowing opposing quarterbacks to earn a 53.4 passer rating when targeting him. Gay missed last week's win over the Buffalo Bills but has provided solid run defense while starting eight games as a rookie.

Playing a significant role on Spagnuolo's unit, the trio of youngsters allow Jones, Frank Clark, and Tyrann Mathieu to utilize their strengths and match the Chiefs' offensive firepower.

Sideline domination

We already know Kansas City has an elite roster, but the club also possesses a trio of coaches that few opponents - if any - can match.

Reid is genius, and his pairing with Bieniemy makes for a nightmare to defend. The Chiefs owned the No. 1 offense this season, including the top passing attack and No. 6 scoring unit (the starters didn't even play in Week 17). Spagnuolo's group was equally impressive considering it features less raw talent on paper, ranking 10th in points allowed and ninth in turnover percentage - two crucial measurements in an offense-heavy NFL.

Veach and Reid's ability to hire and retain top assistants cannot be overlooked when evaluating the franchise's success. Both Spagnuolo and Bieniemy could arguably be top head coaching candidates - the latter should have already landed a job by now - and will play a crucial role against a complete Tampa Bay Buccaneers lineup.