Nagler was selected in the 14th round of the
1953 NFL draft by the
Cleveland Browns. Prior to the season starting, the Browns completed a fifteen-player trade—which set the NFL record for the largest trade ever executed—that sent Nagler and nine other players to the
Baltimore Colts. The Colts then waived him prior to the start of the
1953 NFL season. He was claimed off waivers by the
Chicago Cardinals. In his rookie season, Nagler set the Cardinals team record for receptions in a rookie season, with 43. Nagler missed the
1954 NFL season due to service in the
United States Army. While posted at
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, lieutenant Nagler helped coach the base football team to a perfect 12-0 record and the All-Service Championship, winning the 1954
Poinsettia Bowl. He returned to the Cardinals in 1955, spending the next four seasons with the club. Nagler earned a
Pro Bowl selection in
1958. Following his Pro Bowl year, Nagler was traded to the
Pittsburgh Steelers and spent one season with the team. He was moved to the
Cleveland Browns as part of a four-player New Year's Eve trade that included Steelers quarterback
Len Dawson. Nagler finished his playing career after the
1961 NFL season, after two seasons with the Browns. ==NFL career statistics==