Joe Douglas has always been a straight shooter as general manager of the New York Jets. And that hasn’t changed just because of the Super Bowl hype engulfing the Jets this season.

So, Douglas was true to form when meeting with the media Thursday after cutting the roster down to 53 players earlier in the week.

“Excited to move forward, excited about the season, but ultimately excitement doesn’t win games,” Douglas said. “It’s preparation, execution and discipline that wins games. We’ve got a lot to prove.”

The Jets were 7-10 in 2022 and have missed the playoffs 12 straight seasons. But with Aaron Rodgers and Dalvin Cook joining a roster that features plenty of excellent young talent, expectations are high for the 2023 Jets.

Douglas acknowledged that but refused to say the Jets must make the playoffs this season.

“We’re not running or hiding from any expectations that are out there,” the GM said. “I think when the dust settles you want to be in the conversation as one of those teams that can compete for the Super Bowl. You get a ticket into the dance and anything can happen. … I think we’re ready.”

As for increased pressure to win this season, Douglas was matter of fact.

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“Yeah, you feel pressure to win every day, every day you walk in here,” he said.

Douglas is not one to gush but he did admit it’s “surreal” that Rodgers is a Jet. And he added that “five or six times a day” he thinks, “I can’t believe he’s our quarterback.”

The Jets GM explained that he started to think it was possible New York could trade for the future Hall of Famer at the 2023 scouting combine. Prior to that, he believed acquiring Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers was “unrealistic.”

Reality begins for the Jets on Sept. 11 when they host the Buffalo Bills in Week 1 on Monday Night Football.

Let the expectations soar.