INDIANAPOLIS — Colts quarterback Daniel Jones opened his press conference by talking about John Mara.

Mara, the Giants owner, revealed this week that he is battling cancer.

Jones spent six years playing for Mara in New York, signing a second contract with the Giants before the partnership broke up in the middle of the 2024 season.

“First of all, just like to say, extending thoughts and prayers to Mr. Mara, John Mara and the whole Mara family, the Giants. It’s a tough situation for him, and a speedy recovery,” Jones said. “The Mara family means a ton to the NFL, and definitely thinking about them during this tough time.”

Even after Jones had been benched and asked for his release during the middle of the 2024 season, Mara released a statement praising Jones for the way he’d worked and represented the franchise during his time in New York.

“The opportunity to play in the NFL and represent the Mara family was a huge honor for me,” Jones said. “I was able to build a lot of special relationships there, and with the Mara family. Very grateful to them. They mean a ton to football, to the history of the NFL, our game, and are still being ambassadors.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts QB on John Mara’s battle with cancer: ‘Thinking about them’