There’s a running joke in the Las Vegas Raiders offensive meeting rooms about how much time Kirk Cousins has spent with 39-year-old coach Klint Kubiak and 38-year-old offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko that also serves as a reminder of the quarterback’s age.

“We’ve spent a lot of time together over the years,” Janocko said of the neighbors who also worked together for three years with the Minnesota Vikings. “We joke about it now that Klint and Kirk are Tim Taylor and Wilson (from the sitcom “Home Improvement”) looking at each other over the fence sometimes.”

The ABC show, starring Tim Allen, ran from 1991 to 1999.

None of the Raiders receivers had turned a year old when the show went off the air.

And even if some of the offensive leaders tend to have the kind of connection where not all their references will be understood by everyone, opportunities for bonding are still plentiful.

“I promise you every single day, multiple times a day they will reference something that has us wondering what they are even talking about,” Dont’e Thornton Jr. said. “It’s funny though, and it definitely helps lighten up the room.”

Thornton is 23, the same age as fellow wide receiver Malik Benson, who dropped his head in laughter when asked how often he hears a pop culture reference in an offensive meeting that predates him.

“Half the time, I don’t have any idea what they’re talking about,” he said. “So I’ll take a glance back at Dont’e, and we’ll just have a little laugh about it. Sometimes after the meeting, I’ll kind of ask them about it, and they’ll try to break it down for me.”

Thornton and Benson agreed those moments are good for camaraderie because they provide ways to bridge the generational divides and build the kind of trust that has helped lead to success on the field.

“It has definitely made us closer to be able to talk about things beyond football and learn from each other,” Benson said.

Cousins, who famously spoke of wanting to attend a Backstreet Boys concert at Sphere over the summer, made light of the age differences during the offseason.

He said during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” with guest host Andrew Siciliano that the movie and music quotes he drops from his era are far more appreciated by his coaches than his fellow players.

“I start talking with teammates about a movie I loved in 1995, they aren’t really able to quote it with me,” Cousins said.

Yet somehow it works. The age-gap jokes tend to spur discussion and foster discussion. That bonding has been a big part of the winning formula for the Raiders offense.

“I think it’s just building relationships, and the more time you spend in a relationship, the stronger it gets, especially when it’s people that really care about each other,” Janocko said of the success Cousins has found with the offense through four games. “You can see the way that we all care about each other, and we go about our business. I think that can breed a lot of success.”

Perhaps that’s why the ability of Cousins to lead the league in touchdown passes through four weeks isn’t as stunning in the locker room as it may be around the league.

Cousins, 38, had full confidence in his team from the way they came together on and off the field in spring camp and that belief has only grown through four games.

“These guys, they want to do it the right way,” Cousins said. “Football means something to them. They’re hardworking, listen well, and it makes it a joy to be the quarterback for a group of guys like that. But you’ve got to go prove it again every week.”

And they have. Even when everyone isn’t fully on the same page with some of the jokes and references to ’90s movies and television shows.

“They teach me some things that are way beyond my years,” Benson said. “But I can also teach them some things that my generation has going.”

Cousins, who Thornton called an “OG,” isn’t afraid to learn from his younger teammates.

But he has brought plenty to the table himself that has fueled the early run.

“Kirk Cousins is one of the best pros that I’ve been around,” Janocko said. “So when he has success, it’s because of his process, his preparation, the way he goes about things, and the way his teammates support him. The plays that the guys around him make. His success is a byproduct of his process, his professionalism and the way he elevates his teammates.

“But also, the way his teammates elevate him and us being able to play 11 as one.”

Just like Jerry with George, Elaine and Kramer.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.